Antipersonnel mines are indiscriminate. They cannot distinguish between the footfall of a soldier, farmer, aid worker or child.
They can remain in the ground for decades after a conflict, killing and maiming.

A landmine blast causes horrific injuries such as blindness, deafness, loss of limbs and extensive burns. Sometimes this results in death through blood loss, shock or unavailability of urgently needed medical treatment.

Survivors face severe pain and extensive surgery, often made worse by financial difficulities and psychological trauma.Many can no longer farm land to support a family.

Today, more than 75 countries around the world have a landmine/unexploded ordnance problem.

Landmines not only injure and kill. They also delay the repatriation of refugees and displaced people, hamper reconstruction and the delivery of aid. They render much land unusable, causing more hardship to already suffering communities.