Mine Action Sector
Myanmar has historically been affected by Explosive Ordnance (EO), including landmines, due to the number of protracted conflicts across the country. Many of these conflicts have endured for generations, although newly intensified violence across Myanmar has renewed EO-related protection concerns for children and civilians.
A trend of increasing EO-related casualties is being reported with all 15 States and Regions thought to be contaminated with EO. Focused efforts aimed at addressing EO contamination began receiving international attention in 2008. By 2012, a national Mine Risk Working Group (MRWG) was established with support provided by UNICEF. In recent years, however, compounding challenges brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic and current political crisis have prevented the MRWG from convening regularly. Despite these challenges, the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AoR) was formed, and its Terms of Reference (ToR) approved in December 2021.
Today’s Mine Action Context in Myanmar
Humanitarian mine action operators have not received the necessary permissions to clear EO across the country. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), however, has been implemented in targeted communities and remains an essential component to save the lives of children and civilians. To date, EORE efforts have focused on IDP and refugee populations, including children, in conflict-affected communities.
Although intended as a weapon of war, children and civilians are routinely affected by EO. Survivors of EO often experience lifelong impairments, psychological trauma, social exclusion, livelihood challenges, and education barriers. As conflict has intensified, and survivor accounts have emerged, the awareness for strengthened victim assistance has increased significantly. One key stride in survivor support was the introduction of the National Victim Assistance Technical Group (NVATG). However, similar to the MRWG, it has not formally convened since February 2021.
To ensure that EO victim accounts are documented, monitoring and data collection of EO incidents has remained ongoing with a total of 165 incidents and 278 casualties reported in 2021. Data collection, however, remains incomplete, as many EO incidents across the country are unreported. This is in part due to the lack of a national accident surveillance system and common reporting mechanisms and limited access to support and reporting services.
International frameworks exist to curb the use and consequences of EO including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCCW). Myanmar, however, is a not a signatory under such a agreements.
Another key issue in Mine Action and victim support is the lack of international investment in financial, human, and technical capacities in Myanmar. Despite having the fifth highest number of reported casualties in the world, Myanmar received just $4.1 million USD in 2020, ranking twenty second globally for directed donor support. Amid ongoing political and conflict tensions across the country, many international donors have been reluctant to continue funding such humanitarian activities in Myanmar. Recently, the Myanmar Humanitarian Fund did not receive allocations in line with commitments and deprioritized funding of protection projects.
Looking forward, EO protection issues for vulnerable IDP and refugee populations, especially children, will remain a priority concern with a 7.8 million USD funding need to support approximately 386,000 people under the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan.
Situation Updates
Core Documents
Title | Format | Size | Uploaded |
---|---|---|---|
Core Doc_Policy Brief - The Ottawa Treaty's 2025 goal for clearance.pdf |
pdf |
5.06 MB | 27-Jun-2018 |
Core Doc_The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention & Maputo Action Plan.pdf |
pdf |
2.42 MB | 27-Jun-2018 |
Guidance – Victim Assistance Responsive to Gender & Other Diversity Aspects.... |
pdf |
1.52 MB | 27-Jun-2018 |
Core Doc_Strategic Work Plan_2017_MRWG_MMR.pdf |
pdf |
831.18 KB | 01-May-2017 |
Core Doc_Strategic Work Plan_2017_MRWG_ENG.pdf |
pdf |
870.13 KB | 01-May-2017 |
Core Doc_Myanmar Country Overview_30Dec2015.doc |
doc |
51 KB | 02-Mar-2016 |
Core Doc_Strategy of UNs on Mine_Action_2013-2018.pdf |
pdf |
776.66 KB | 02-Mar-2016 |
Core Doc_Strategic Work Plan_MRWG_2015-2016.docx |
docx |
311.28 KB | 02-Mar-2016 |
Core Doc_International Mine Action Standard_MRE_2010.pdf |
pdf |
262.02 KB | 02-Mar-2016 |
Maps
Useful Resources
Reports & Publications
Technical Guidelines & Reference
Title | Format | Size | Uploaded |
---|---|---|---|
Handbook_Safety Message to Humanitarian Workers in Myanmar_MA AoR_MMR.pdf |
pdf |
4.04 MB | 19-Aug-2022 |
Handbook_Safety Message to Humanitarian Workers in Myanmar_MA AoR_ENG.pdf |
pdf |
4.62 MB | 19-Aug-2022 |
Guidance – Victim Assistance Responsive to Gender & Other Diversity Aspects.... |
pdf |
1.52 MB | 27-Jun-2018 |
Guide_Marginalised Minorities in Development Programming_UNDP_May2010.pdf |
pdf |
3.47 MB | 29-Mar-2016 |
Guidelines_Gender Based Violence (Mine Action)_IASC_2015.pdf |
pdf |
1.47 MB | 26-Feb-2016 |
Ref_Doc_Gender_in_Mine_Action_Interventions_Tip_Sheet_IASC_2012.pdf |
pdf |
201.42 KB | 24-Feb-2014 |