Citation

Buhmann C. Br. Med. J. BMJ 2009; 339: b3944.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bmj.b3944

PMID

19808831

Abstract

Violent conflict remains a major risk to human health and explosive weapons are an important cause of death and injury in such situations. The health consequences are devastating. Explosive weapons cause death, injury, and psychological disabilities. They also cost lives through their effects on the health system, human resources in health, water and sanitation systems, electricity supplies, and the general diversion of human and economic resources away from health planning and health services towards defence and securing stability.

A new report published by Landmine Action aims to place explosive violence on the policy agenda. For six months data on death and injury from explosive weapons were collected from media reports. 58 countries had incidents of explosive violence, but most of the incidents took place in only a few countries. Most victims were civilians, among whom women and children were over-represented.

Language: en