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Anti-personnel landmines are explosives that are typically placed on or near the ground and are designed to be activated by their victim through contact, proximity or presence. Currently, estimates of the number of landmines in the ground around the world vary between 45 – 100 million. No one really knows how many landmines have been used over the years, but, even the rumour of a landmine is enough to cause havoc in a community and prevent people from using the land.
Quick Facts
- Most landmines are designed to maim, not kill.
- Mines cannot tell the difference between the footsteps of a child and those of a soldier.
- Landmines continue to find victims long after the end of an armed conflict. In Russia, for example, landmines from World War II continue to injure or kill civilians.
- Landmines are particularly inhumane weapons and the harm they cause is excessive. Mine injuries maim victims for life and require two to six times more blood transfusions during surgery than other war injuries.
- Landmines hinder a country’s development and cause a variety of medical, social and economic issues.
Landmine Statistics
- 75 per cent of mine victims are civilians.
- A single landmine can cost between $3 to $30 US dollars (USD).
- It can cost anywhere from $300 to $1000 USD to remove a mine.
- Over 160 million landmines are stored in stockpiles.
- Landmines affect approximately 80 countries. Some of the worst affected include Afghanistan, Cambodia, Bosnia, Croatia, Angola, Somalia, Sudan and Colombia.
- In 2006, 5,751 casualties were reported in 68 countries and areas, 16% less than 2005; However, data collection is inadequate or non-existent in 64 of 68 countries with recorded casualties.
- Over 450 square kilometers of contaminated land was cleared in 2006.
Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines
More Information on Landmines:
Updated: August 29, 2008 |
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