More than 60 countries are affected. AP mines kill or injure indiscriminately.
Victims are usually civilians, killed or injured after hostilities have come to an end.
In many cases, landmines have been laid to prevent the use and rehabilitation of farmland, bridges, roads, and water supply facilities. After a conflict ends, landmines or even the perceived threat of landmines can pose significant obstacles to the resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons. In the longer-term, by denying people access to their land, landmines are a significant factor in the impoverishment of entire communities. In addition to causing severe physical injuries, landmines also cause psychological trauma. Since AP mines and UXOs retain their lethal capacity for decades, their humanitarian impact also will continue for decades, unless they are systematically addressed at the earliest opportunity.