At least 58 countries maintain active landmines that killed or injured more than 5,000 people in 2024, mostly civilians. These weapons prevent farming, force displacements, and turn safe areas into deadly traps. The UN demands an end to their production and use, but as long as they are not eliminated, communities will remain exposed to a silent danger.
Sensors and drones: technology to locate forgotten explosives 💣
Demining advances with ground-penetrating radar systems and drones equipped with multispectral cameras that detect changes in the soil. Remote-controlled robots dig without human risk, and trained dogs sniff out chemical compounds. However, the process is slow: every square meter requires thorough analysis. Investment in these tools reduces casualties, but the clearance rate does not match the speed at which new mines are laid in active conflicts.
The UN calls for peace; landmines call for legs 🦿
The UN begs for an end to mine production, but manufacturers seem deaf or too busy counting bills. Meanwhile, civilians play Russian roulette every time they step on a field. The funny thing is that no one has patented an anti-bomb sandal, though it would surely be a bestseller in the 58 mined countries. Ironies of life: the prosthetic business has never been so booming.