Activists stress need to raise awareness on landmines, unexploded ordnance

By Admin 23 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
23 April 2024, Sittwe

There is a need to promote public awareness of the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs) in Arakan State as civilian casualties inflicted by these hazards continue to rise in the war-wracked state.

Two children from Abuja Village in Thayet Taung Village-tract, Buthidaung Township, died on Sunday in the explosion of an unexploded ordnance that the duo picked up from a paddy field to play with.

“Children know nothing. When they get something new, they will just play with it. Adults also have little knowledge about how to take care of those things. The result is loss of lives,” said a Muslim woman from Abuja Village.

In a similar incident, seven children under 11 were injured while playing with an unexploded shell in Tamanthar Village, Maungdaw Township, on April 13.

On April 6, one man died and a young girl was seriously injured in Nga Tan Pyin Village, Minbya Township, when they hammered an unexploded shell.

There have been dozens of cases of fatal landmine explosions near croplands.

According to a DMG tally, nearly 60 civilians have been killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance in Arakan State since renewed fighting broke out in November.

Local residents say it is because the regime has planted landmines in public places in retaliation for its military defeats in the state.

“We are overwhelmed by reports about explosions of landmines and unexploded ordnance. There could be unexploded ordnance in our township as fighting has taken place there. We are particularly concerned about the safety of children,” said a woman from Minbya Township.

Civil society organisations’ efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance have been seriously hampered by ongoing fighting and junta travel restrictions.

“We have heard about increased deaths from playing with unexploded ordnance and stepping on landmines. So, there is a need to increase awareness in all possible ways. Otherwise, casualties will only increase,” said a social activist from Arakan State.

Children are major victims and are more vulnerable, he noted.

The number of civilian casualties inflicted by landmines and unexploded ordnance has been on the rise in Myanmar. The number increased from 390 casualties in 2022 to 1,025 casualties (188 were killed and 864 were injured) last year, reported UNICEF Myanmar.