Landmine casualties ‘exceptionally high’, Syria and Afghanistan worst-hit

According to Landmine Monitor 2021, the number of victims increased by 20 percent in 2020 compared to the previous 12 months, a result of “increased armed conflict and contamination” of the land with improvised mines.

Victims in 50+ countries

Overall, more than 7,000 people were killed or injured in 54 countries and territories, while Myanmar was the only state confirmed to have used weapons in the past 16 months – as they began reporting in 1999. Have since – said the landmine monitor.

There were also “strong indicators” of landmine use in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict in 2020, along with unconfirmed “sporadic” use of weapons in a dozen other countries, including Cameroon, Egypt, Niger, the Philippines, Thailand, Tunisia and Venezuela. and surrounding districts.

“Our problem was that we didn’t know what the mines were, if the mines were laid during active conflict, or if the mines were used after a peace and ceasefire,” said Mark, contributing editor to the Landmine Monitor. Hizne said, which also highlighted the problem of accessibility in the area.

“The parties are not moving forward in terms of the information provided … but it is clear that there are some very strong indications (that) someone used anti-personnel mines there.”

From June 2020 to October this year, non-state armed groups have also used improvised landmines in at least six countries: Afghanistan, Colombia, India, Myanmar, Nigeria and Pakistan.

On a more positive note, some 70 non-state armed groups have also agreed not to use the landmines anymore, Mr Hijney said.

Non-combatants pay the highest price

Civilians still remain the primary victims of weapons, accounting for eight in 10 casualties, with children being at least half of those killed or maimed.

Although men and boys account for 85 percent of all casualties, injured women and girls are particularly affected later in life when it comes to receiving aid for victims.

ICBL/Javed Tanveer

Patients during a rehabilitation session inside the Kandahar Rehabilitation Centre, Afghanistan during the COVID-19 crisis.

stock destruction

Monitor’s researchers stressed that despite the rising toll from the landmines, progress has been made on eliminating the landmine reserves.

He pointed to the fact that since 1999, more than 30 countries have cleared all mining areas on their territory, most recently Chile and the United Kingdom.

Since the Mine Ban Treaty became international law in 1999, some 94 state parties have now reported the destruction of more than 55 million anti-personnel mines, including more than 106,500 mines destroyed in 2020.

In addition, Sri Lanka is the latest state to deplete its reserves in 2021.

contaminated land

Challenges remain, however, as at least 60 countries and other territories are known to be contaminated with anti-personnel mines, including 33 of the 164 state parties to the treaty.

“Many state parties will not meet the aspirational target of securing approval

Late 2025,” said Ruth Bottomley, Landmine Monitor contributing editor, though COVID-19-Related restrictions had contributed to some “uncertainty” over the deadline, with some states also making “slow progress”.

before the pandemic.

At the community level, to respond to blockages in raising awareness due to pandemic movement restrictions, the report noted that many countries have successfully implemented and expanded digital and online methods to deliver risk education and save lives.