HI calls for assistance for mine victims

The Landmine Monitor 2018, published last week, reports a third year of exceptionally high casualties caused by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).

For the calendar year 2017, the Monitor recorded 7,200 mine/ERW casualties. The report also points out that international funding for victim assistance remains far from adequate to meet a sharp rise in needs.

Multiple needs

Victims have multiple needs. They may need to be fitted with a prosthesis or orthosis, or require rehabilitation care and psychological support to overcome trauma caused by a mine accident.

A disabling injury often has an impact on the whole family, especially when the injured person contributed to the family’s income and can no longer work. A victim and his or her family and friends may therefore need economic and social support through help returning to work, an apprenticeship or training, for example.

Our actions during the conference 

During the conference, HI is organizing several activities to draw the attention of State delegations to the need for victim assistance:

• Screening of films showing how HI supports mine survivors
• HI rehabilitation experts will share their experience in two workshops and numerous meetings with delegations throughout the week.
• Tuesday 27th November: HI presents the results of a study in Cambodia on victim assistance cooperation between a mine-affected country and a donor State
• Thursday 29th November: HI outlines the benefits of setting up a network of mine survivors and people with disabilities in Latin America to uphold their rights.