In Myanmar, the devastating impact of landmines is exemplified by Nyien, a four-year-old who lost both legs in an explosion while collecting plums. In 2023, 188 people were killed and 864 wounded from buried bombs - compared to 390 casualties in 2022. Children constitute over 20% of the victims. Unicef has described the use of landmines as ‘reprehensible and illegal’, urging all parties to prioritise civilian safety. Their use has surged since the 2021 military coup, especially in regions where resistance groups have been most active. Three countries - Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen - had higher mine casualties in 2022, and the long-term dangers posed by undetected landmines, often many years after a conflict, are considerable. Meanwhile, the opposition has claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital city: see
Myanmar: landmine casualties triple
Written by David Fletcher 05 Apr 2024Additional Info
- Pray: that all sides will heed Unicef’s call to stop using these awful weapons. Pray for all those who have been affected, and for the doctors treating them. (Luke 14:13,14)
- More: www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/children-hit-hard-landmine-casualties-triple-myanmar/
Tagged under