Cluster Munition Contamination

sources or clean water. In Vietnam, 61.1% children interviewed relied solely on CLUSTER MUNITION of all cluster submunition deaths and scrap metal for their income (Handicap injuries between 1975 and 2007 occurred International, 2004). while the victims were farming, herding or digging, and 53.1% of incidents occurred Submunitions are highly explosive and CONTAMINATION on agricultural or grazing land (Handicap may be extremely unstable. Clearance International, 2007). teams therefore have to exercise extra care when encountering and destroying Unexploded submunitions can also them. This also makes the process more Where are cluster munitions? represent valuable but extremely expensive and time-consuming. The dangerous sources of income. For same characteristics make it likely that What is their legacy? example, nomads in Afghanistan have when a person accidentally detonates a fallen victim to submunitions as they submunition, others in the immediate collect the weapons as scrap metal to vicinity will also be killed or maimed. Which States and areas are most affected by supplement their income (Handicap cluster munitions? International, 2007). In Cambodia, scrap metal collection and trade is a common Identifying the degree to which States Laos became contaminated by cluster activity (Handicap International, 2004). are affected by cluster munitions can munitions between 1964 and 1973 as a When scrap metal prices rose after 2002, be difficult, as data on cluster munition result of the wars in the region. Handicap so did the number of accidents resulting A Mines Advisory Group (MAG) team REUTERS/Damir Sagoli contamination is sometimes mixed in International’s National Survey on the clears unexploded cluster submunitions. from deliberately handling ERW to extract This is a highly dangerous, time-consuming with data on contamination by other Impact of UXO in Laos found that the metal (Cambodian Red Cross). In a survey and expensive task. types of unexploded ordnance (UXO). most common type of UXO contamination by Handicap International, 32% of the Sean Sutton/Panos Pictures overview However, we do know that where cluster involved unexploded submunitions and At least 21 States and four areas munitions have been used extensively, that 1,553 villages were contaminated by of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, they have accounted for a large part of these weapons (Handicap International, the explosive remnants of war problem 1997). The Lao National Unexploded and Europe are affected by cluster and have had a severe impact on civilians Ordnance Programme estimates that munitions or have been in the last five and communities. approximately 270 million submunitions decades. In some countries, cluster were released from cluster bombs (UXO munitions were used extensively, such as in Laos where the weapons Sources: were dropped over a period of nine ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian years (1964 to 1973), creating a Remnants of War, June 2001. Working Together for Iraq, December 2006, available at: Demining (GICHD), Lao PDR Risk Management and widespread lethal hazard for the http://www.uniraq.org/documents/InfoKit2007_ Mitigation Model, February 2007. ICRC, Explosive Remnants of War: the lethal legacy of EN.pdf population (GICHD, February 2007). modern armed conflict, July 2004. Human Rights Watch, Fatally Flawed: Cluster Bombs and In other contexts, their use has been United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in their Use by the United States in Afghanistan, December ICRC, Expert Meeting on Explosive Remnants of War, South Lebanon (UNMACC SL), South Lebanon Cluster 2002. more limited but the impact has also Presentation by Phil Bean, Programme Director, Lao Bomb Info Sheet, November 2006. been severe. In Kosovo, for instance, National UXO Programme, 18–19 September 2000. International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the conflict lasted only 11 weeks, but United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in Landmine Monitor Report 2006. Cambodian Red Cross, Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). September 2007 Report, it is estimated that between 230,000 Information System, Annual Report 2006. October 2007. Landmine Action, Foreseeable Harm: The use and and 290,000 submunitions were impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon: 2006, October Handicap International, Tampering: Deliberate Handling United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in 2006. dropped (Landmine Action/ICRC) and and Use of Live Ordnance in Cambodia, August 2004. South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). Victim data, December that approximately 30,000 remained 2007, available at: http://www.maccsl.org/reports/ Landmine Action, Cluster Munitions in Kosovo: Analysis Handicap International, Living with UXO: Final Report, Victims/casualties.pdf of Use, Contamination and Casualties, October 2007. unexploded on the ground when the National Survey on the Socio-Economic Impact of UXO in fighting ended (ICRC, 2001). Lao PDR, October 1997. United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO (UN FAO), Lebanon: Damage and Early Recovery Needs Lao), see: http://www.uxolao.org Handicap International, Circle of Impact: The Assessment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and November 2006. Communities, May 2007.

International Committee of the Red Cross 19, avenue de la Paix Submunitions can land far from the 1202 Geneva, Switzerland intended target. Darwish Abd el-Aal looks T + 41 22 734 60 01 F + 41 22 733 20 57 at an unexploded cluster munition hanging E-mail: [email protected] For further information, visit from a tree in an orchard. www.icrc.org © ICRC, February 2008 www.icrc.org/eng/cluster-munitions AP/Mohammed Zaatari 0946/002 02.2008 3000 Lao) and estimated that with a failure least 54% of the contaminated area was By December 2007, 217 civilians had been rate of 10% to 30%, between 9 million agricultural land (Landmine Action, 2007). killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, and 27 million unexploded submunitions In 2007, the Kosovo Protection Corps almost all by submunitions (UNMACC SL, remained on the ground at the end of Coordination reported that 61 hazard December 2007). A significant proportion the conflict (ICRC Expert Meeting on areas remained, mainly in the west of the of these incidents occurred when people ERW, 2000). As of March 2007, Handicap territory (Handicap International, 2007). returned to their homes following International had recorded 4,837 people the fighting, or just after their return killed or injured by cluster munitions The latest recorded use of cluster (Landmine Action, 2006). (Handicap International, 2007) – and munitions was in southern Lebanon in victim data is still incomplete. About July and August 2006. Although there is By September 2007, the UNMACC SL 200 new victims of explosive remnants no data available on the total number of estimated that 40% of the contaminated of war, including submunitions, are still submunitions used, an initial estimate in area had been cleared of all surface threat. recorded in Laos each year. In addition, a November 2006 by the UN Mine Action However, only 21% had been fully cleared significant number of incidents probably Co-ordination Centre in South Lebanon (i.e. to a depth of 20 cm). In October 2007, go unrecorded (GICHD). Laos is thus a (UNMACC SL) indicated that up to a million it reported that 131,115 unexploded prime example of the potentially long submunitions remained unexploded after submunitions had been cleared so far. lasting effects of cluster munition use. the fighting ended. Cluster munitions were also used The case of Kosovo demonstrates that Areas contaminated by these weapons extensively in Afghanistan in the cluster munitions can leave behind severe included agricultural land and water conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s and, problems that take years to address, and power infrastructure. The UN Food most recently, in 2001–2002. However, even when they are used in short-lived and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) many contaminated areas in Afghanistan conflicts. During the 11 week war in estimated that in large areas of southern are not mapped, and submunition 1999, between 230,000 and 290,000 Lebanon at least 25% of the cultivated contamination is often not differentiated cluster submunitions were dropped in area was contaminated by unexploded from that due to other explosive remnants the territory (Landmine Action, 2007/ cluster submunitions (UN FAO, 2006). of war (Handicap International, 2007). By ICRC, 2001) and it is estimated that Overall, agriculture constitutes nearly 70% February 2007, 222 out of 269 known sites approximately 30,000 failed to explode of the total household income in southern had been cleared of recent contamination (ICRC, 2001). This created a serious hazard Lebanon and half of the working population (Handicap International, 2007). to civilians who, despite the warnings, earns its living entirely from this activity entered cluster-strike areas such as fields, (UN FAO, 2006). Unexploded submunitions forests and vineyards because they had have also hindered reconstruction efforts, to in order to earn a living (ICRC, 2001). A e.g. by disrupting repairs to power lines Landmine Action study revealed that at (Landmine Action, 2006).

What challenges arise in areas affected by cluster munitions? Like anti-personnel mines and other In Iraq, according to the United Nations explosive remnants of war, unexploded Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), cluster submunitions have severe effects, agriculture provides employment to 37% which go well beyond individual casualties. of the population (UNAMI, December As highlighted above, the contamination 2006). Reports by the Iraq Landmine from these weapons often blocks access Impact Survey (ILIS) in 2006 revealed that to basic necessities such as food, water in some areas of southern Iraq, 100% of and fuel, and to schools, markets, health agricultural land and 95% of pasture land care and other essential services. was inaccessible due to ERW, including submunitions (Handicap International, Because submunitions have such a high 2007). failure rate and are scattered in such large numbers, even a single cluster munition When agricultural areas are contaminated strike in or near an agricultural area, for or water sources become inaccessible Areas contaminated by cluster munitions create a serious hazard to civilians and have example, can pose a significant long-term – and as it often takes time to clear the long-term consequences for war-affected socioeconomic and physical threat to the affected areas – people may take conscious communities. population. risks in order to access their fields, fuel John Rodsted

CLUSTER MUNITION CONTAMINATION Lao) and estimated that with a failure least 54% of the contaminated area was By December 2007, 217 civilians had been rate of 10% to 30%, between 9 million agricultural land (Landmine Action, 2007). killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, and 27 million unexploded submunitions In 2007, the Kosovo Protection Corps almost all by submunitions (UNMACC SL, remained on the ground at the end of Coordination reported that 61 hazard December 2007). A significant proportion the conflict (ICRC Expert Meeting on areas remained, mainly in the west of the of these incidents occurred when people ERW, 2000). As of March 2007, Handicap territory (Handicap International, 2007). returned to their homes following International had recorded 4,837 people the fighting, or just after their return killed or injured by cluster munitions The latest recorded use of cluster (Landmine Action, 2006). (Handicap International, 2007) – and munitions was in southern Lebanon in victim data is still incomplete. About July and August 2006. Although there is By September 2007, the UNMACC SL 200 new victims of explosive remnants no data available on the total number of estimated that 40% of the contaminated of war, including submunitions, are still submunitions used, an initial estimate in area had been cleared of all surface threat. recorded in Laos each year. In addition, a November 2006 by the UN Mine Action However, only 21% had been fully cleared significant number of incidents probably Co-ordination Centre in South Lebanon (i.e. to a depth of 20 cm). In October 2007, go unrecorded (GICHD). Laos is thus a (UNMACC SL) indicated that up to a million it reported that 131,115 unexploded prime example of the potentially long submunitions remained unexploded after submunitions had been cleared so far. lasting effects of cluster munition use. the fighting ended. Cluster munitions were also used The case of Kosovo demonstrates that Areas contaminated by these weapons extensively in Afghanistan in the cluster munitions can leave behind severe included agricultural land and water conflicts of the 1980s and 1990s and, problems that take years to address, and power infrastructure. The UN Food most recently, in 2001–2002. However, even when they are used in short-lived and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) many contaminated areas in Afghanistan conflicts. During the 11 week war in estimated that in large areas of southern are not mapped, and submunition 1999, between 230,000 and 290,000 Lebanon at least 25% of the cultivated contamination is often not differentiated cluster submunitions were dropped in area was contaminated by unexploded from that due to other explosive remnants the territory (Landmine Action, 2007/ cluster submunitions (UN FAO, 2006). of war (Handicap International, 2007). By ICRC, 2001) and it is estimated that Overall, agriculture constitutes nearly 70% February 2007, 222 out of 269 known sites approximately 30,000 failed to explode of the total household income in southern had been cleared of recent contamination (ICRC, 2001). This created a serious hazard Lebanon and half of the working population (Handicap International, 2007). to civilians who, despite the warnings, earns its living entirely from this activity entered cluster-strike areas such as fields, (UN FAO, 2006). Unexploded submunitions forests and vineyards because they had have also hindered reconstruction efforts, to in order to earn a living (ICRC, 2001). A e.g. by disrupting repairs to power lines Landmine Action study revealed that at (Landmine Action, 2006).

CLUSTER MUNITION CONTAMINATION sources or clean water. In Vietnam, 61.1% children interviewed relied solely on CLUSTER MUNITION of all cluster submunition deaths and scrap metal for their income (Handicap injuries between 1975 and 2007 occurred International, 2004). while the victims were farming, herding or digging, and 53.1% of incidents occurred Submunitions are highly explosive and CONTAMINATION on agricultural or grazing land (Handicap may be extremely unstable. Clearance International, 2007). teams therefore have to exercise extra care when encountering and destroying Unexploded submunitions can also them. This also makes the process more Where are cluster munitions? represent valuable but extremely expensive and time-consuming. The dangerous sources of income. For same characteristics make it likely that What is their legacy? example, nomads in Afghanistan have when a person accidentally detonates a fallen victim to submunitions as they submunition, others in the immediate collect the weapons as scrap metal to vicinity will also be killed or maimed. Which States and areas are most affected by supplement their income (Handicap cluster munitions? International, 2007). In Cambodia, scrap metal collection and trade is a common Identifying the degree to which States Laos became contaminated by cluster activity (Handicap International, 2004). are affected by cluster munitions can munitions between 1964 and 1973 as a When scrap metal prices rose after 2002, be difficult, as data on cluster munition result of the wars in the region. Handicap so did the number of accidents resulting A Mines Advisory Group (MAG) team REUTERS/Damir Sagoli contamination is sometimes mixed in International’s National Survey on the clears unexploded cluster submunitions. from deliberately handling ERW to extract This is a highly dangerous, time-consuming with data on contamination by other Impact of UXO in Laos found that the metal (Cambodian Red Cross). In a survey and expensive task. types of unexploded ordnance (UXO). most common type of UXO contamination by Handicap International, 32% of the Sean Sutton/Panos Pictures overview However, we do know that where cluster involved unexploded submunitions and At least 21 States and four areas munitions have been used extensively, that 1,553 villages were contaminated by of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, they have accounted for a large part of these weapons (Handicap International, the explosive remnants of war problem 1997). The Lao National Unexploded and Europe are affected by cluster and have had a severe impact on civilians Ordnance Programme estimates that munitions or have been in the last five and communities. approximately 270 million submunitions decades. In some countries, cluster were released from cluster bombs (UXO munitions were used extensively, such as in Laos where the weapons Sources: were dropped over a period of nine ICRC, Cluster Bombs and Landmines in Kosovo: Explosive United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian years (1964 to 1973), creating a Remnants of War, June 2001. Working Together for Iraq, December 2006, available at: Demining (GICHD), Lao PDR Risk Management and widespread lethal hazard for the http://www.uniraq.org/documents/InfoKit2007_ Mitigation Model, February 2007. ICRC, Explosive Remnants of War: the lethal legacy of EN.pdf population (GICHD, February 2007). modern armed conflict, July 2004. Human Rights Watch, Fatally Flawed: Cluster Bombs and In other contexts, their use has been United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in their Use by the United States in Afghanistan, December ICRC, Expert Meeting on Explosive Remnants of War, South Lebanon (UNMACC SL), South Lebanon Cluster 2002. more limited but the impact has also Presentation by Phil Bean, Programme Director, Lao Bomb Info Sheet, November 2006. been severe. In Kosovo, for instance, National UXO Programme, 18–19 September 2000. International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the conflict lasted only 11 weeks, but United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in Landmine Monitor Report 2006. Cambodian Red Cross, Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). September 2007 Report, it is estimated that between 230,000 Information System, Annual Report 2006. October 2007. Landmine Action, Foreseeable Harm: The use and and 290,000 submunitions were impact of cluster munitions in Lebanon: 2006, October Handicap International, Tampering: Deliberate Handling United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre in 2006. dropped (Landmine Action/ICRC) and and Use of Live Ordnance in Cambodia, August 2004. South Lebanon (UNMACC SL). Victim data, December that approximately 30,000 remained 2007, available at: http://www.maccsl.org/reports/ Landmine Action, Cluster Munitions in Kosovo: Analysis Handicap International, Living with UXO: Final Report, Victims/casualties.pdf of Use, Contamination and Casualties, October 2007. unexploded on the ground when the National Survey on the Socio-Economic Impact of UXO in fighting ended (ICRC, 2001). Lao PDR, October 1997. United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO (UN FAO), Lebanon: Damage and Early Recovery Needs Lao), see: http://www.uxolao.org Handicap International, Circle of Impact: The Assessment of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Fatal Footprint of Cluster Munitions on People and November 2006. Communities, May 2007.