Country & Territory Reports - Landmine Action

88 iraq
reported dangerous areas, while only 19 per cent of areas
in the north were reported to be stockpiles. 955
In the “northern-most Governorates” anti-personnel mines
counted for the bulk of contamination. Nearly 58 per cent
of communities were affected solely by AP mines, but there
were also instances of anti-vehicle mine contamination
(1.3 per cent), mixed AP/AV contamination (4.7 per cent)
and mixed AP and ERW (34.9 per cent). 956 Although the
Emergency Survey does not yield specific information as to
the type of ERW in these instances, no contamination of
cluster munitions, improvised explosive devices or missiles
was found in this area. In “northern Iraq” (south of the
Green Line), anti-personnel mines also accounted for the
majority of contamination. However, general UXO was also
widespread and MOTAPM, cluster-munitions and IEDs were
also reported. In “southern Iraq” general UXO was
reported as the major source of contamination, present in
40.5 per cent of danger areas. Here the threat of ERW
greatly exceeded that of APMs, augmented by significant
cluster munition contamination (18.1 per cent of recorded
dangerous areas). MOTAPM contamination was also
reported as less pronounced than in the north.
Much more is known about ERW/MOTAPM contamination
in the “northern-most Governorates” and “northern Iraq,”
where humanitarian mine clearance programmes have
operated for more than a decade, than in the rest of the
country. Multiple sources of data exist regarding ERW and
MOTAPM contamination in northern Iraq. MAG had
constructed a database and collected ERW and mine
clearance data since 1991. The UN Office for Project
Services (UNOPS) completed a Landmine Impact Survey in
the northern-most Governorates in 2002. 957 This survey
work was implemented by the Mines Advisory Group and
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVAF). Survey work was also
conducted by the University of Durham. 958 However, these
sources overlap to some extent, creating difficulties in
consolidating data. Plans for a full Landmine Impact
Survey are reportedly being made, employing a “north
first” strategy on the basis of expected security
constraints. VVAF, who were involved in the EMAS
supporting MAG activities, are responsible for the overall
implementation of this project. 959
Impact
While the recent Emergency Mine Action Survey does
distinguish between types of contamination, allowing ERW
and MOTAPM to be seen separately from anti-personnel
mines, casualty data is not disaggregated in this manner.
National information on impact is also difficult to collate
due to a lack of EMAS victim information from the south. 960
Some casualty data separated by gender is available from
the north. Such data is available only for ‘recent’ victims and
the definition of ‘recent’ varies between areas. Where it is
available, data shows that it is men who make up the great
majority of ERW and landmine casualties. 961 Casualty data
erw and motapm – global survey 2003–2004
broken down by age is available from the north. However,
this data does not show a clear pattern. 962 Some data is
reported as suggesting that recent victims have included a
greater proportion of children. Of recent casualties
(subsequent to the start of the EMS), 45 per cent of those
killed and 55 per cent of those injured were children. 963
The Mines Advisory Group highlighted the very high levels of
casualties being experienced in some areas in the immediate
aftermath of the invasion 964 and also illustrated some of the
issues associated with these incidents:
“There were about 350 UXO and mine-related injuries in
and around Kirkuk since the fighting began but accurate
figures were very difficult to compile,” [Sean] Sutton
added. “MAG knows of 47 deaths going unrecorded in
Kirkuk. There is no death registration system, and no
morgue where people are taken. They are just buried,” he
said. The majority of those injured or killed were children.
“Most of the children’s injuries are burns to the hands
and face from playing with UXOs,” he said. “I have seen a
lot of children who have lost eyes.” Many were playing
with the guns, ammunition, mortar shells and fuses that
they found, with some even trying to set fire to the UXOs
themselves. “They find them and dismantle them, and
then throw them on fires to blow them up,” he said. 965
According to the UNOPS Landmine Impact Survey of the
three “northern-most Governorates,” deliberate handling
of mines and UXO was the most common activity at the
time of accidents, accounting for more than 30 per cent of
recorded cases. 966 Other activities at the time of accidents
in this area included daily routine activities (29 per cent),
herding animals (20 per cent), collecting resources for food
and other uses (11 per cent) and digging (5 per cent).
The EMAS victim statistics do not provide information
about the causes of accidents. It is reported anecdotally,
however, that many accidents in the centre and south of
the country result from people deliberately handling
abandoned munitions to sell the scrap metal and
explosives and to use the propellant and wooden
packaging as fuel. The metal can be sold as scrap and the
explosive content of mines and ordnance is sometimes
used for fishing or is sold at market. 967 Other sources have
also highlighted the important role of the scrap metal
trade in bringing people into contact with ordnance. 968
Where people are living among ordnance contamination,
the deliberate engagement in dangerous practices by
children can also lead adults to engage with ordnance.
Some people are not willing to wait for official clearance
teams to come in and take matters into their own hands –
attempting to burn items of ordnance, sometimes using
sandbags as protection. Local citizens may feel it is better
to address the problem than to leave items of ordnance
lying around where children can engage with them. 969
As has been noted previously cluster munition contamination
has been distinct component of the post-conflict