Landmines maim and kill 15,000-20,000 people every year, 80 percent of whom are civilians, and a third are children. There are an estimated 70 million unexploded ordnance in 80 countries worldwide, impacting every aspect of human life -- from farming to education to trade.
COLOMBO, May 28 (IRIN) -
The recent death of a French de-miner in northern Sri Lanka highlights
the ongoing threat of landmines in preventing the safe return of tens of
thousands of conflict-displaced.