4-4-2024 (YANGON) The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) revealed on Thursday that the number of civilian casualties, including children, resulting from landmines and explosive ordnance in Myanmar surged last year, more than doubling to 1,052.
According to Unicef, landmines and explosive remnants of war caused a staggering 170% increase in casualties in 2023, resulting in 188 fatalities and 864 injuries, compared to 390 casualties recorded in 2022. Children accounted for over 20% of all landmine victims last year.
The escalation in casualties underscores the dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar, which has been embroiled in turmoil since the military overthrew an elected government in a coup in 2021, halting the country’s progress towards democracy. As a consequence, Myanmar has become one of the most landmine-contaminated nations globally.
In recent years, an armed civilian resistance has aligned with longstanding ethnic armed groups to confront the military junta. The junta’s leadership faces unprecedented pressure following significant battlefield losses in a widespread offensive by rebel groups since October.
Unicef pointed out that landmines and other explosive ordnance are being indiscriminately utilised by all parties involved in the escalating conflict.
Despite repeated attempts to reach out for comment, a junta spokesman remained unresponsive to Reuters’ inquiries.
Debora Comini, the Unicef regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, condemned the use of landmines, describing it as not only reprehensible but also illegal under international humanitarian law.
Unicef data revealed that the agrarian heartland of Sagaing accounted for over 35% of all landmine-related casualties in 2023, highlighting the widespread impact of the conflict on civilian populations.
