Children and amputees bear brunt of Myanmar’s deadly landmine epidemic
November 22, 2024
Yangon, Myanmar – Children and amputees are bearing the brunt of Myanmar’s deadly landmine epidemic, with thousands of victims suffering life-changing injuries and disabilities.
According to the United Nations, there have been more than 6,000 landmine casualties in Myanmar since 2012, with children accounting for nearly half of the victims. Landmines are indiscriminate weapons that can remain active for decades, posing a constant threat to civilians in conflict-affected areas.
In Kachin State, northern Myanmar, landmines have become a major hazard for children who often play in fields and forests. In 2023, a 12-year-old girl named Naw Kham Nu lost her leg when she stepped on a landmine while playing near her village.
“I was just walking home from school when I heard a loud explosion,” Naw Kham Nu said. “I looked down and saw that my leg was gone.”
Naw Kham Nu is now fitted with a prosthetic leg, but she faces ongoing challenges due to her injury. She has difficulty walking and running, and she often experiences pain and discomfort.
“I miss playing with my friends,” Naw Kham Nu said. “I used to love to run and play, but now I can’t do those things anymore.”
Landmines have also had a devastating impact on amputees in Myanmar. Many amputees are unable to work or provide for their families, and they often face stigma and discrimination.
“I lost my leg to a landmine in 2015,” said Sai Kyaw Win, a 35-year-old amputee from Shan State. “I used to be a farmer, but now I can’t work anymore. I have to rely on handouts from my family and friends.”
Sai Kyaw Win is one of thousands of amputees in Myanmar who are struggling to rebuild their lives. They face a lack of access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
“We need more support from the government and from international organizations,” Sai Kyaw Win said. “We need prosthetics, rehabilitation, and job training. We want to be able to live our lives with dignity.”
The landmine epidemic in Myanmar is a complex and challenging issue. The country has been plagued by armed conflict for decades, and landmines have been used extensively by both sides in the conflict.
The government of Myanmar has pledged to clear landmines from the country, but the process is slow and dangerous. In the meantime, children and amputees continue to bear the brunt of the landmine epidemic.
Here are some key points to remember about the landmine epidemic in Myanmar:
- Children account for nearly half of the landmine casualties in Myanmar.
- Landmines pose a constant threat to civilians in conflict-affected areas.
- Amputees in Myanmar face ongoing challenges due to their injuries, including difficulty walking and running, and pain and discomfort.
- The government of Myanmar has pledged to clear landmines from the country, but the process is slow and dangerous.
- More support is needed from the government and from international organizations to provide prosthetics, rehabilitation, and job training for amputees.
Children and amputees bear brunt of Myanmar’s deadly landmine epidemic
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Asia Pacific a new article on 2024-11-22 12:00 titled “Children and amputees bear brunt of Myanmar’s deadly landmine epidemic”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
2