80% of landmine victim families in Arakan State see livelihoods affected

By Admin 29 Nov 2025

DMG Newsroom

29 November 2025, Kyauktaw

According to DMG research, 80 percent of the families of landmine victims in Arakan State have seen their livelihoods affected as a result of the ongoing military conflict.

A research paper released on November 17 found that 80 percent of households with members injured by landmines or explosive remnants of war (ERWs) in Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Ponnagyun townships have experienced livelihood difficulties.

Landmine victims who have lost limbs are calling for job opportunities to support their long-term livelihoods.

“When I get a little sick, my amputated leg hurts. I can’t take medicine every day. Sometimes I can’t sleep, so I drink alcohol. I can’t work with my family, so I weave bamboo baskets, but the quality is not good because one leg is weak. People don’t like the baskets and they don’t sell well. So I want help, either with a job or money,” said U Than Tun Hla, over 40, who lost one leg due to a landmine injury.

U Than Tun Hla, from Buddhaw Village in Ponnagyun Township, lost his right leg in 2019 after stepping on a landmine while collecting firewood in the mountains west of the village.

DMG’s research shows that 49 percent of landmine injuries occurred in and around homes, while the remaining 51 percent took place in forests and other locations.

Most of the injured were farmers and low-income villagers who depend on forests for their livelihoods, with 69 percent losing limbs, according to the report.

“We see that villagers’ livelihoods are becoming more difficult because of landmines and ERWs. They are afraid to go to the mountains because of landmine explosions. Villagers are cutting firewood to make a living,” said U Pan Thar, administrator of Khapaw Village in Kyauktaw Township.

Khapaw Village sits near Mt. Taungshae in northern Kyauktaw, and 10 people there have been killed or injured after stepping on landmines while entering the forest to find food and fish.

The DMG report states that 17 percent of people affected by landmines and ERWs suffer from anxiety, and 14 percent have insomnia due to psychological effects.

The report also found that 31 percent of victims suffer from chronic physical pain, 19 percent have mobility difficulties, and 84 percent lack information on where to seek help and do not know emergency life-saving procedures.

With intense fighting continuing in Arakan State, there are renewed calls for landmine clearance operations, as landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to affect livelihoods and cause frequent casualties.