Information on Landmines

Landmines are a vast international problem. Their continued presence in 82 countries worldwide means that the carnage of war continues after a conflict has ended. Although the soldiers have left, landmines remain behind, traumatising civilians for years. There are lots of misconceptions about landmines, starting with when they were first used.

A history of landmines

Historically, landmines have been used in civil and international conflicts since the American Civil War. The production and use of landmines increased dramatically with World War I and by World War II, landmines were an essential part of any army’s arsenal; between 1939 and 1945, 300 million mines were deployed in Africa, Asia and Europe. Their use continued throughout the 20th century and continues today. For example, in conflicts such as the Vietnam War in 1965, an estimated 65 to 70 per cent of United States Marine Corps casualties were caused by mines or booby traps. Many American troops were injured when forced to advance or retreat through areas mined by their own side.

Problems of landmines today

Today however, in a world characterised by civil rather than international wars, the picture is arguably bleaker because civilians are often the target. Incredibly, there are an estimated 200 million antipersonnel mines in the world today; they are concentrated in Africa, much of the Middle East, parts of Southeast Asia and in the former Soviet republics. Their impact is described below.

• Estimated number of new landmine casualties each year: 15,000 to 20,000
• Estimated number of mine survivor amputees living in developing countries: 300,000
• Estimated percentage of landmine casualties that die before reaching a hospital: 50%
• Estimated percentage of landmine casualties among civilians: 90%
• Reported number of new landmine casualties among children in 2002 (23 % of total casualties): 2,649
• Total number of countries affected by landmines (as at 2002): 82
• Number of countries that continue to produce antipersonnel landmines: 15

The affects of landmines and poverty

The implications of landmines are often very difficult to assess. Obviously there is the direct effect on the victim, but there is also the inevitable extension to his or her family who must cover the cost for the care and perhaps the upbringing of the victim who may be permanently disabled. Furthermore, tracts of landmine affected areas are unusable and prevent the development of agriculture. Livestock also fall victim to landmines, severely depleting herd populations in countries where the quantity and health of livestock often determine the quality of life for local populations. Thus, landmines leave many communities permanently stuck in poverty. In many places, entire populations are forced to rely on external food aid and other forms of international assistance.

Landmines and disease

The catastrophic and far-reaching effects of landmines can be even more indirect than its effects on poverty. The spread of diseases, for example, can be dramatically increased as an indirect result from the prevalence of landmines. Countries that are heavily affected by landmines and are suffering from severe blood shortages are often forced to implement loosened restrictions on blood donations, allowing the spread of diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, landmines directly stop organizations such as the Red Cross from entering areas that are deeply affected by disease and hunger, preventing them from assisting victims.

Production continues

Unfortunately, despite the 1997 Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, signed by 134 countries, the production of anti-personnel landmines continues. Major world and regional powers such as China, India, Pakistan, Russia and the United States of America still produce landmines.

Who is affected

For many of us in first world countries landmines seem distant and irrelevant – but for the average Chechnyan, Angolan, Afghani or Cambodian, the threat of landmines is very real and affects their every day lives.
One INYAL member remembers hearing this story of what occurred to a little boy in Cambodia:
I was playing in the fields with my two little brothers when I stepped on a landmine that blew of both my legs. My brothers ran for help, but both stepped on landmines and were killed. I had to crawl my way into the village.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (the ICBL)

Fortunately, there is a major international campaign to rid the world of landmines. See the ICBL page for more information.
You can change the world
You as an individual or as a group can do something about landmines by becoming involved yourself. You can make a donation, teach other youths about the problems of landmines or even join INYAL. See our How to Become Involved page for more information.

All information courtesy of the Australian Network of the International Campaign to ban Landmines.