Information on Landmines
History of Landmines
Landmines are commonly considered a 20th century weapon, but their non-explosive predecessors were in use as far back as the 3rd Century BC. Modern landmines designed to explode on contact were first used during the American Civil War, but it was during World War One that they began to be used on a larger scale. By World War Two landmines were an essential part of any army’s arsenal; 300 million mines were deployed during the course of the war.
Landmines were originally conceived as a defensive weapon intended to slow an enemy advance and decrease morale, by injuring soldiers so badly that serious medial treatment was required. Their use did not finish with WWII. Instead, in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, 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, evidence of the mines’ indiscriminate nature. Unfortunately, because recent conflicts have tended to be civil rather than international wars, the use of the mine has extended to civilians. Landmines are often left behind after civil wars end, such as in Angola. In other countries too, landmines are a weapon that affect both combatants and non-combatants.
Landmines are still a major problem in more than 80 countries worldwide, from Mozambique to Kosovo. Although it is difficult to gauge, there are still an estimated 200 million antipersonnel mines in the world today, concentrated mainly in Africa and Asia. For example, in Cambodia, it is estimated that there are as many landmines as people. The effects of these landmines are listed 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 percent of total casualties): 2,649
• Total number of countries affected by landmines: 82
• Number of countries that continue to produce antipersonnel landmines: 15
Their implications are wide-ranging. As suggested above, many victims survive the immediate explosion, but die from loss of blood before reaching hospital. If they do survive, the family then has the very challenging task of trying to cover the cost for rehabilitation. Furthermore, tracts of landmine affected areas are unusable and prevent the development of agriculture, leaving communities stuck in poverty. Clearing the area of landmines is also difficult. One de-miner is killed and two are injured for every 5,000 mines cleared. Mines are much cheaper to lay than they are to get rid of. They can cost as little as $3.00 to purchase - and up to $1,000 to be removed.
Luckily, there is a major international campaign to rid the world of landmines. See the Global Initiatives link.
All information courtesy of the Australian Network of the International Campaign to ban Landmines. See www.australia.icbl.org for more information.
