The impact of landmines and cluster munitions

Landmines and cluster munitions cause injuries that have extremely serious physical, psychological and social consequences.

^{© Handicap International}

The human impact

• In 50% of cases the traumatic consequences are fatal. The damage done to the body by these weapons is not only caused by the explosion itself but also by the earth, bacteria, pieces of clothing and fragments of metal and plastic that find their way into the body tissue. Not only can they lead to the amputation of the limb(s) affected but they may also cause permanent damage to the hands, arms, genitalia, face, eyes and ears.

• Mutilation may limit a person's physical capacities, which in turn prevents them from playing a part in the social life of their community.

Sultan, a boy whose friend was killed by a submunition hanging from a tree. A group of friends were standing under the tree watching the diggers on a nearby construction site, when the bomb fell out of the tree and exploded, Lebanon. © Ursula Meissner for Handicap International

• Survivors encounter psychological difficulties following the trauma.

• Disability reduces the person's chances of getting married, having children and finding work.

• Negative social attitudes towards disabled people lead to exclusion.

• Local communities are scared to use fields and roads or send their children to school.

• Communities often have to choose between poverty, starvation and dehydration or risking their lives by cultivating dangerous fields.

• The number of people with disabilities increases in already impoverished countries.

• They return of refugees and internally displaced people is hindered.

The impact on socio-economic systems

• Being disabled, survivors face a loss of income. If they were the main earner, the whole family may face extreme poverty. Relatives may also have to stop working to look after him or her.

• Most survivors cannot afford expensive medical treatment. Families may be faced with a choice: receive no treatment or sell their possessions.

• The presence of landmines and unexploded cluster munitions prevents communities from using their land, restricting agricultural production and rural development.

• The national economy is affected as countries face an increased need for medical and rehabilitation services and a decrease in accessible farmable land.

• They also lead a lack of economic development, as trade within rural communities, between urban centres and the countryside, and between neighbouring states is disrupted when their borders are mined or contaminated with cluster bombs.

• They obstruct access to natural resources, raw materials and the development of transport networks.