Who was injured or killed by mines, cluster munitions, and other ERW in the reporting period?

Mines/explosive remnants of war

There were at least 2,452 child casualties in 2017. Child casualties in 2017 accounted for 47% of all civilian casualties for whom the age was known. This was an increase from the to the 38% recorded for 2015, and even higher than past years, including 2013 with 46%. Children were killed (773) and injured (1,679) by mines/explosive remnants of war (ERW) in 38 countries and other areas in 2017.

As in previous years, in 2017 the vast majority of child casualties where the sex was known were boys (84%). Overall, ERW caused the most child casualties (1,332, or 54%). 

For more information on child casualties and assistance see the annual Monitor fact sheet on landmines/ERW and children.

In 2017, female casualties made up 13% of all casualties for which the sex was known (740).

In 2017, there were 60 casualties identified among deminers (18 deminers were killed and 42 injured). This represented a similar finding as for 2014, when 53 deminer casualties were recorded in 10 states. It was, however, about half of the average of 105 casualties among deminers per year since 1999. 

Cluster munition remnants

In 2018, civilians (133) made up 99% of all cluster munition casualties for which the status was known. Two casualties were recorded as military and the status of 14 casualties was unknown. The high percentage of civilian casualties is identical to 2017 data and consistent with findings based on analysis of historical data.

Regardless of the time period since attacks, cluster munition remnants disproportionately harm civilians, including children. Children (52%) accounted for the majority of all cluster munition casualties in 2018, where the age group was reported (63 of 122) compared to 36% (91 children among 252 casualties of known age group) in 2017.

The majority of casualties, 71%, were men and boys, where sex was recorded (60 of 85 casualties), representing an increase in the ratio of casualties compared to those among women and girls from 2017.

 (Last updated based on Landmine Monitor 2018 and Cluster Munition Monitor 2019)