Afghanistan: Angola: Nicaragua: Mozambique: Bosnia & Herzegovina: Combodia.
What effects it has on Society An Inisible Barrier in Development
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Angola:
Background Angola's AP mine situation is arguably worse than that of any other African country. Like Afghanistan, it has been said that "the whole of Angola must be considered a mined area." This sums up the severity of the problem, which has resulted from the use of AP mines by a wide array of groups for three decades. Roads, waterways, railroads, airports, ports, towns and private dwellings were mined in a scorched earth conflict intended to deny the enemy land and resources. Bridges were mined to prevent saboteurs from attacking them; they were mined again after destruction to prevent repair work. Soldiers in retreat on both sides during the 1992 strife are reported to have mined schools, hospitals and markets. Food supplies have also been seriously affected by mines. People trapped in besieged cities were forced to venture into mine infested areas to find food. The reduced amount of land available for sustainable agriculture has caused dependence on food aid from international donors. AP mines have also jeopardized the repatriation of refugees from abroad and resettlement of one million displaced persons inside Angola. With one amputee estimated for every 356 people in May 1997, Angola has one of the highest ratios in the world. |