DZWatch Exclusive: A new report has exposed a concerning increase in landmine casualties across the globe. The Landmine Monitor’s latest findings indicate a sharp rise in deaths and injuries resulting from landmine explosions throughout 2024.
The report details that in the past year, landmines and explosive remnants of war caused 6,279 casualties across 52 countries and regions. Shockingly, civilians accounted for 90% of these victims, with nearly half being children. This figure includes 1,945 fatalities, representing a significant increase of approximately 500 casualties compared to the previous year, marking the highest annual toll since 2020.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines issued a statement emphasizing the report’s grim reality: civilians bear the brunt of these tragedies. The organization further noted that critical mine clearance efforts are being hampered by declining donor support for essential humanitarian activities. This reduction in funding poses a serious threat to ongoing demining operations and victim assistance programs.
The report also highlights a worrying trend: contributions from donors specifically earmarked for victim assistance constitute a mere 5% of total mine action funding, reflecting a near 25% decrease in 2024. This shortfall in support directly impacts the ability to provide adequate medical care, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support to survivors of landmine explosions.
The continued use and production of landmines represents a dangerous erosion of the global norm that has saved countless lives since the 1999 entry into force of the Mine Ban Treaty, the report stated. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for renewed international commitment to mine action and victim assistance.
