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The Guardian view on weapons that wait: clear them now The Guardian view on weapons that wait: clear them now
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The evacuation of 50,000 people from Hannover this weekend, following the discovery of five unexploded second world war bombs, reminds us that conflicts can have a deadly impact long after the fighting ends. But while the German city’s residents have been inconvenienced briefly, millions of people around the world have been displaced for the foreseeable future, and in many cases permanently, by unexploded ordnance and “weapons that wait”. They are the lucky ones; thousands are killed annually.The evacuation of 50,000 people from Hannover this weekend, following the discovery of five unexploded second world war bombs, reminds us that conflicts can have a deadly impact long after the fighting ends. But while the German city’s residents have been inconvenienced briefly, millions of people around the world have been displaced for the foreseeable future, and in many cases permanently, by unexploded ordnance and “weapons that wait”. They are the lucky ones; thousands are killed annually.
International support for landmine clearance has fallen below $400m for the first time in a decadeInternational support for landmine clearance has fallen below $400m for the first time in a decade
The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) notes that it is now rare for states to plant anti-personnel mines, thanks to the 20-year-old Ottawa treaty. More than 160 states have pledged to stop developing and producing mines and to destroy their stockpiles; non-signatories – including China, Russia and the US, which has spent $2bn on de-mining but defends mines designed to self-destruct – should join them. Almost 30 countries have been declared mine-free, including heavily contaminated Mozambique. But civilians are paying for the legacy of previous wars and the surge in IEDs: they make up more than 80% of all IED-related casualties. Many are children, reflecting their innocence, curiosity and sometimes their work herding livestock, but also deliberate targeting. The ICBL says casualties in 2015 reached a 10-year high. Meanwhile, international support for clearance fell below $400m for the first time in a decade.The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) notes that it is now rare for states to plant anti-personnel mines, thanks to the 20-year-old Ottawa treaty. More than 160 states have pledged to stop developing and producing mines and to destroy their stockpiles; non-signatories – including China, Russia and the US, which has spent $2bn on de-mining but defends mines designed to self-destruct – should join them. Almost 30 countries have been declared mine-free, including heavily contaminated Mozambique. But civilians are paying for the legacy of previous wars and the surge in IEDs: they make up more than 80% of all IED-related casualties. Many are children, reflecting their innocence, curiosity and sometimes their work herding livestock, but also deliberate targeting. The ICBL says casualties in 2015 reached a 10-year high. Meanwhile, international support for clearance fell below $400m for the first time in a decade.
Now the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), working in Iraq to clear areas previously held by Islamic State, warns of a level of contamination it has not seen for two decades, with minefields 24km long and mass-produced devices, “powerful enough to rip apart a vehicle, but sensitive enough to be triggered by a child”. In one village, 10 died and 44 were injured after just 44 families returned; teams cleared more than 1,500 IEDs, ranged around the school and through houses. Other NGOs describe families returning to live in homes in eastern Mosul, knowing there are IEDs in some rooms: they have nowhere else to go. Now the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), working in Iraq to clear areas previously held by Islamic State, warns of a level of contamination it has not seen for two decades, with minefields 24km long and mass-produced devices “powerful enough to rip apart a vehicle, but sensitive enough to be triggered by a child”. In one village, 10 died and 5 were injured after just 44 families returned; teams cleared more than 1,500 IEDs, ranged around the school and through houses. Other NGOs describe families returning to live in homes in eastern Mosul, knowing there are IEDs in some rooms: they have nowhere else to go.
IEDs, primarily used by non-state actors, will not be legislated out of existence, and restricting the flow of materials is inherently more challenging, given their improvised nature. But experts say that access to some resources can be reduced. And where they have been planted, they must be cleared.IEDs, primarily used by non-state actors, will not be legislated out of existence, and restricting the flow of materials is inherently more challenging, given their improvised nature. But experts say that access to some resources can be reduced. And where they have been planted, they must be cleared.
The effects of war are felt in the devastation of services; the destruction of economies; the fragmentation of families and communities; long-term injuries and illnesses; and, of course, the absence of loved ones. But you cannot restore water supplies or reopen schools or plant crops if you cannot cross the land safely. You cannot recover psychologically while living in constant fear of setting foot in the wrong place. The converse of that depressing truth is that investing in munitions destruction and clearance pays dividends. It is the first step to solving many more problems.The effects of war are felt in the devastation of services; the destruction of economies; the fragmentation of families and communities; long-term injuries and illnesses; and, of course, the absence of loved ones. But you cannot restore water supplies or reopen schools or plant crops if you cannot cross the land safely. You cannot recover psychologically while living in constant fear of setting foot in the wrong place. The converse of that depressing truth is that investing in munitions destruction and clearance pays dividends. It is the first step to solving many more problems.
It took MAG’s workers three months to clear that Iraqi village, but 520 of its 540 households have now returned home. Last month, the UK committed to trebling its support for clearance, to £100m over three years. But the Halo Trust estimates that 60 million people live with the threat of unexploded mines. Twenty years after Ottawa, it is time for other international donors to step up to the mark.It took MAG’s workers three months to clear that Iraqi village, but 520 of its 540 households have now returned home. Last month, the UK committed to trebling its support for clearance, to £100m over three years. But the Halo Trust estimates that 60 million people live with the threat of unexploded mines. Twenty years after Ottawa, it is time for other international donors to step up to the mark.