Landmine injuries, and injuries from other found explosive remnants of war (ERW), place an enormous burden on public health and social services.
When compared to other injuries, landmine casualties usually require multiple surgeries and larger quantities of blood transfusions.
Recovery from a landmine injury is not swift and usually requires long hospital stays.
Limb loss is not uncommon and in those injuries, once they are in recovery, the amputee will need to be provided with a prosthetic limb. These require maintenance over the rest of the mine victims’ lifetime.
Even with an artificial limb, they may not be able to return to their former occupation. This requires vocational assistance. The mine victim may also need to access psycho-social counseling to cope with the potential mental trauma.
In its current state, Myanmar’s public health system can rarely provide all the above, especially the immediate life saving medical care following such injuries. The associated costs can devastate rural families, pushing entire households into poverty.
In order to highlight these issues, in collaboration with the Landmine Monitor, we have made an infographic which is now available to download through the dedicated Mine Action page.
