20-11-2024 (BANGKOK) Myanmar has emerged as the world’s most affected country for landmine and unexploded ordnance casualties in 2023, with monitoring groups suggesting the actual toll could be substantially higher than the recorded 1,003 victims.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) revealed on Wednesday that Myanmar’s casualty figures surpassed those of other conflict zones, including Syria (933), Afghanistan (651), and Ukraine (580). However, experts warn that restricted access and ongoing conflicts make accurate assessments challenging.
“The real figures could be two or three times higher,” said Yeshua Moser-Puangsuwan of the ICBL during a Bangkok press conference. “The absence of proper medical surveillance systems and data from armed groups makes comprehensive reporting impossible.”
The crisis has intensified since the 2021 military coup, which sparked the emergence of numerous People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) opposing the junta. This escalation has exacerbated an already critical situation in a country grappling with decades of ethnic conflicts.
Myanmar, not a signatory to the UN convention banning anti-personnel mines, has seen increased mine deployment by military forces, particularly around critical infrastructure. The ICBL reported regular discoveries of government-manufactured mines by opposition forces across the country between January 2022 and September 2024.
The humanitarian impact has been severe, with the UN reporting over three million people displaced by post-coup conflicts. UNICEF has highlighted the indiscriminate use of landmines by all parties involved, while reports emerge of civilians being forced to clear mine-affected areas.
Globally, landmines and explosive remnants claimed 5,757 victims in 2023, with 1,983 fatalities. Civilians accounted for 84% of casualties, marking a significant increase from 2022’s total of 4,710 victims.
