Clearing the Way for Development by Clearing Landmines
When a conflict ends and the visible threats move out, it is often assumed all potential danger has moved on too. No longer are there groups of rebels or military fighting it out in the open or sounds of gunfire and explosions. All is calm. Or so it appears.
However, all too often beneath the surface lie landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) planted in a time of conflict. Once the conflict has ceased, these items are often not removed and have no ability to discriminate between soldier, civilian, animal, child or machinery – in 2013 79% of casualties from landmines were civilians. All they need is the right amount of pressure to inflict a large amount of damage.
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