Landmines
Landmines are explosive devices that are designed to explode when triggered by pressure or a tripwire. They are laid on or just below the surface of the ground. They are used by armed forces, and work by disabling or killing any person or vehicle that comes into contact with them by an explosion.
Each year up to 20,000 new casualties are caused by landmines - that's around 40 people being injured a day. 82 countries are affected by landmines, and no-one knows how many mines there are in the ground. They are laid during times of war, but then after a conflict is finished the mines are still left behind - waiting to explode when a person or animal walks over them. They can kill people in the explosion, or cause burns, blindness, shrapnel wounds and destroy limbs, which often require amputation. The most affected countries include: Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Eritrea, Iraq, Laos, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan.
The Ottawa Treaty bans the use of anti-personnel mines around the world. It came into force in 1999. It prohibits the manufacture, trade and use of anti-personnel landmines. it also urges governments to help poorer countries to clear land and assist landmine victims. Clearing landmines is a very dangerous, expensive and time-consuming job.