Decline in control efforts…a sharp increase in landmine victims in 2024
Observatory detection Landmines In its annual report issued Monday, there was a significant increase in the number of deaths and injuries as a result of mine and Explosive remnants of war in the world during the year 2024, amid warnings from "Unprecedented challenges" It faces the international ban imposed on the use of mines.
According to the report, 6,279 deaths and injuries were recorded in 52 countries and regions, an increase of nearly 500 victims over the previous year, in the highest annual toll since 2020, and civilians constituted 90% of the total victims, almost half of whom were children.
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines said that the new numbers "It reveals a stark truth: civilians pay the highest price"noting the decline in clearance operations and the decrease in funding allocated to them.
Withdrawals from the Mine Ban Treaty
The report warned of a direct threat facing the Mine Ban Treaty after the announcement of 5 countries in NATO"Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland" Its intention to withdraw from the treaty in accordance with Article 20, under the pretext "Fear of Russian aggression".
The campaign also criticized Ukraine’s attempt to suspend its compliance with the treaty due to the ongoing war, stressing that this measure is not permissible according to its terms.
The head of the campaign, Tamar Gabelnik, said: “Retreat is not an option. The human cost is very high."
Expanded uses of mines
The report explained that the increase in the number of victims is linked to the use of mines in countries that are not committed to the treaty, such as Burma, Syria and Russia, in addition to Ukrainian uses whose scope has not been precisely determined.
Burma recorded the largest number of victims in the world for the second year in a row: 2,029 dead and wounded.
Syria came in second place with 1,015 victims, In light of the return of civilians to their areas after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December.
In Ukraine, the report documented about 300 injuries resulting from mines during the year 2024.
The report confirmed that Russia has used anti-personnel mines on a large scale since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
A significant decline in funding
The year 2024 recorded a clear decrease in the areas that were cleared. of mines, as a result of the decline in international funding and the deterioration of the security situation in conflict areas.
The report indicated that funding allocated to assist victims, which does not exceed 5% of total funding, declined by about 25% during the same year.
The crisis worsened in 2025 due to a sharp decline in American aid following the return of President Donald Trump to the White House, as the United States reduced its external support, even though it was the largest global financier of mine clearance programs, despite not having signed the treaty itself.
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