GNV News March 6, 2026

According to a study published in February 2026, it was found that 38.8% of people injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in conflict and post-conflict settings die from their injuries.

Many countries remain threatened by landmines and bombs that stay buried in people’s living areas decades after wars have ended. As of February 2026, at least 57 countries still have landmines in the ground. According to a report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), around 6,200 people worldwide were killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war in 2024, the highest number since 2020. This statistic includes countries currently in conflict, and the main reason for the increase is said to be the growing use of landmines in Myanmar and Syria.

The study shows that the lethality of explosive injuries is greatly affected by the surrounding environment. If victims receive treatment at emergency medical facilities with adequate equipment, the mortality rate from explosive injuries can fall to as low as 2%. Fatality rates also vary depending on the type of explosive. The most lethal are improvised explosive devices (IEDs). IEDs are explosive devices that can take many forms and use various triggering mechanisms. They are widely used in modern conflicts, and in recent years, remotely operated devices have increased.

Even if someone survives an explosion, the impact of the injuries can last a lifetime. Victims may require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation, lose their jobs, or need constant care. The discovery of landmines can halt agricultural activities and other livelihoods, plunging entire communities into poverty.

However, efforts to remove landmines are stagnating. According to an ICBL report, five countries—Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland—are in the process of withdrawing from the Mine Ban Treaty, which prohibits the use and production of antipersonnel mines. Ukraine, which is currently at war, is attempting to suspend the treaty’s implementation, which constitutes a violation of the treaty. The report also states that support for mine clearance activities is decreasing.

Learn more about the damage caused by remnants of war in Laos → “Laos: The Most Heavily Bombed Country in the World”

Learn more about media coverage of bombs → “Cluster Munitions: How Are They Reported in the Media?”

Landmine clearance activities in Cambodia (Photo: ILO Asia-Pacific / Flickr [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0])