At least 1,052 civilian casualties were reported across Myanmar last year from landmines and other explosive ordnance, a UN agency said Wednesday.
In an “alarming” situation, UNICEF said nearly all states and regions of the Southeast Asian country apart from the capital Naypyidaw “are now reported to have been contaminated by landmines.”
Citing data, UNICEF said last year's casualties were nearly triple those reported in 2022, when 390 incidents were recorded.
“Over 20% of the victims were children,” it said in a statement, referring to the total count recorded the previous year.
Myanmar is mired in an internal political and ethnic conflict that has been exacerbated since the military, locally known as the Tatmadaw, overthrew the civilian government in February 2021.
“The use of landmines is not only reprehensible but can constitute a violation of international humanitarian law,” said Debora Comini, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific.
“It is imperative that all parties to the conflict prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians, particularly children, and take immediate steps to halt the use of these indiscriminate weapons,” said Comini.
Myanmar is now ranked among the countries most heavily contaminated by landmines and explosive ordnance worldwide, said the UN agency.
The recent escalation in the internal conflict has displaced more than 2.8 million people and left more than 18 million people in dire need of humanitarian aid, it added.
