AiBotIn a recent report, the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) has highlighted the devastating consequences of cluster munition impacts in war-torn regions worldwide. The coalition estimates that hundreds of millions of people are still at risk from unexploded ordnance (UXO) in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.
Cluster munitions, also known as cluster bombs, are explosive devices that release multiple submunitions, or “bomblets,” over a wide area. These submunitions are often equipped with anti-handling devices (AHDs) that make them difficult to disable and dispose of. The use of cluster munitions has been banned by 122 countries, which signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) in 2008.
However, despite the international ban, the use of cluster munitions continues in some conflict zones. In 2020, the CMC reported that an estimated 13 countries, including China, Russia, and the United States, have used cluster munitions in various conflicts. The impact of these weapons has been staggering, with thousands of people killed or injured by UXO.
A major concern raised by the CMC report is the long-term risk posed by UXO to civilian populations. Even after the initial conflict is over, UXO can remain in place, posing a threat to people trying to rebuild their lives. The report highlights the case of Afghanistan, where tens of thousands of cluster bombs were dropped during the Soviet occupation in the 1980s. To this day, many Afghan children have lost their limbs or been killed while playing with UXO.
In addition to the loss of life and limb, UXO also contaminates land and affects agricultural production. The CMC estimates that UXO has rendered over 10,000 hectares of land in Laos unusable for farming, resulting in significant economic and social costs. similar problems have been reported in other affected countries.
Accordingly, there is growing international pressure for countries that manufacture and export cluster munitions to take responsibility for the impact of their actions. The CMC has urged governments to provide adequate support to affected communities and to work towards the clearance and destruction of UXO.
While progress has been made in reducing the use of cluster munitions, much work remains to be done to address the devastating consequences of UXO. As the CMC report emphasizes, “the legacy of cluster munition contamination will persist for generations to come” unless concerted action is taken to address this global problem.