Preventing Landmine Survey Victims

Landmine Survivors Network has written the following statement, "Preventing Landmine Survey Victims." The intent of the memo is to provoke discussion on the use of surveys and consider the potential harmful effects of excess surveying, particularly when such surveys involve survivor interviews.

If you have any questions regarding LSN's recommendations, you may contact LSN's Project Coordinator, Ms. Sue Eitel, by phone (202 661 3537), fax (202 661 3529) or e-mail (sue-at-landminesurvivors-org).

PREVENTING LANDMINE SURVEY VICTIMS

Landmine Survivors Network is alarmed by the rapid proliferation of landmine-related surveys. There is growing interest by consultants, NGOs, UN and government agencies to "collect data" from individual survivors or their families. Specialized survey teams, tools and protocols are emerging ostensibly to provide real answers to "How many survivors?" and "What are their needs?"

Interviewing survivors raises expectations; specific questions raise specific expectations. The baseline principle for surveys must be "do no harm." Unnecessarily raising hopes of survivors time and again without response is harmful. It leads to mistrust, cynicism and may create barriers to future cooperation with individuals and communities.

Recommendations to reduce negative effects of surveying:

• When the survey team or a consultant is in a country for only a short time and not actively engaged in rehabilitative programs within the country, information should be collected by talking about landmine victims, rather than directly interviewing survivors. · Survivor interviews should be conducted by organizations in place to implement programs related to survivor assistance. These organizations could utilize or adapt standard survey forms in their ongoing work and follow-up activities.

• How much and what kind of information is actually needed?
• Who will use this information and how does it lead to assistance?
• Is funding another survey the best use of available resources?

LSN cautions those involved with interviewing survivors: landmine victims did not survive to be counted, but to overcome their injuries and resume productive lives. Surveys invariably raise expectations. Are we prepared to meet them?