Children account for nearly half of landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) casualties worldwide, warns Landmine Monitor 2025. In 2024, 6,279 people suffered maiming or death—the highest in four years—with civilians comprising 90%. Kids scavenge scrap metal, tend livestock on contaminated land, or mistake explosives for toys amid rubble.
These daily necessities turn fatal in conflict zones, trapping communities in fear.
Escalating Conflicts Drive Record Casualties and Contamination
Sixty-one active armed conflicts boost defense budgets while cutting humanitarian aid, fueling landmine proliferation.
Myanmar topped dangers with over 2,000 casualties—double 2023’s toll after civil war escalation. Syria followed with 1,015 injuries post-14-year conflict, then Afghanistan and Ukraine crises. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) caused 2,000+ casualties alone. Factory-made antipersonnel (AP) mine deaths tripled since 2020 across 57 contaminated countries.
HALO Trust Clears 33% of Global AP Mines Despite Funding Gaps
Global AP clearance dropped significantly in 2024, yet HALO Trust removed 42,976 devices—33% of total efforts. CEO Major General James Cowan calls this a “ticking nightmare” for generations, especially vulnerable children facing blast trauma. Expanding landmine use, rising tolls, and unstable funding create humanitarian emergencies. Innovations like drones, AI, and mechanized methods prove essential for adaptation.
Technological Innovations Accelerate Clearance in High-Risk Areas
Next-generation magnetic resonance detectors in Angola and Ukraine clear 30% faster than traditional tools. HALO’s track record in fragile regions enables life-saving progress amid shifting threats. These advances help communities rebuild despite new contamination from ongoing wars. Cowan urges urgent action: “This report sounds an alarm bell that cannot be ignored”.
Implications for Humanitarian Aid and Conflict Zones
Millions remain trapped by indiscriminate weapons, hindering recovery in post-conflict areas. Children suffer disproportionately due to curiosity and economic desperation.
Boosted defense spending squeezes aid, worsening the cycle. Comprehensive demining, victim assistance, and prevention demand global priority to protect future generations effectively.
Landmine Monitor 2025 exposes a worsening crisis where children bear nearly half the toll from record casualties. HALO Trust’s innovations offer hope, but sustained funding and conflict resolution remain critical to eliminate this indiscriminate threat permanently.
Q&A: Key Findings from Landmine Monitor 2025
Q: Why are children most vulnerable to landmines?
A: They scavenge scrap, farm unsafe land, or play with explosives mistaken for toys in rubble.
Q: Which country saw most casualties in 2024?
A: Myanmar reported over 2,000—double 2023—followed by Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
Q: How have AP mine casualties changed recently?
A: Factory-made antipersonnel mine deaths tripled since 2020 across 57 heavily contaminated nations.
Q: What innovations speed up clearance efforts?
A: Drones, AI, mechanized methods, and magnetic resonance detectors boost efficiency by 30%.
Q: What fraction of casualties were civilians?
A: A staggering 90% of 6,279 total casualties in 2024 involved non-combatants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When was Landmine Monitor 2025 released?
A: November 28, 2025, documenting 2024’s record-high 6,279 casualties from mines and UXO.
Q2: How many active conflicts contribute to risks?
A: Sixty-one ongoing wars drive escalating landmine use and contamination globally.
Q3: What percentage did HALO Trust clear globally?
A: The organization removed 42,976 AP devices, accounting for 33% of worldwide total.
Q4: Why do IEDs pose growing threats?
A: They caused over 2,000 casualties in 2024 amid improvised use in modern conflicts.
Q5: How does funding impact demining?
A: Defense budget boosts cut humanitarian aid, slowing clearance and raising future risks.
