AMERICA/COLOMBIA - Children are half of the victims of landmines and prohibited explosive devices

Monday, 1 December 2014

Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - Every year the NGO "Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines" (CCCM) prepare a report regarding the victims of this scourge. In 2013, the Latin American Country was the second in the world with the largest number of children who are victims, only surpassed by Afghanistan. According to information gathered by Agenzia Fides, the significant increase in the number of child casualties were seen in: Afghanistan, Colombia, Syria, Pakistan and Yemen. In 2013, there were 1,112 child casualties worldwide, including 33 deaths due to landmines, improvised explosive devices, remnants of munitions and military waste. Compared to 2012 there was an increase of 39%.
Out of the total number of children, boys are 84% and girls represent 16%. The main challenges to tackle this scourge worldwide are full assistance to children, and awareness of the population. Compared to the figures of the adults affected (2,403 cases) children represent almost half of all civilian casualties, 46%. Colombia is the third Country in the world with the largest number of child casulaties: 167 cases, preceded by Afghanistan (1024) and Pakistan (175), then Syria (133) and Somalia (65). (AP) (Agenzia Fides 01/12/2014)


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