[CPEO-MEF] UXO in Afghanistan

[lsiegel@cpeo.org]

[The following article demonstrates how significant the hazard of
unexploded ordnance (UXO) is on the former battlefields of the world.
Unfortunately, it is easier for governments to find resources to do
battle than to help impacted communities recover from it. Still,
technologies and procedures being developed for munitions response
within the United States could make it easier, cheaper, and safer to
address UXO abroad. - LS]


Injuries and deaths caused by unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan: review
of surveillance data, 1997-2002


Oleg O Bilukha and Muireann Brennan
British Medical Journal
January 15, 2005 

In 2000-2, Afghanistan had the highest number of casualties due to
landmines and unexploded ordnance in the world. Increasing international
awareness of the public health threat posed by landmines is the legacy
of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. More attention must be
paid to the growing and equally deadly threat posed by unexploded
ordnance. 

Methods and results 

We reviewed the surveillance database on injuries due to unexploded
ordnance and landmines maintained by the United Nations Mine Action
Center for Afghanistan. About 70% of records in the database came from
the clinic based surveillance system operated by the International
Committee of the Red Cross, which, in 2002, included 390 health
facilities. Other data were collected through mine clearance teams,
education programmes to minimise the risks posed by mines, and
programmes to help victims. We excluded duplicate entries by comparing
the demographics, time, and location of injury of the victim. We used
JMP (release 5.0) from SAS Institute for statistical analyses.
Surveillance for landmine and unexploded ordnance injuries in
Afghanistan is predominantly clinic based, so those who die before
reaching a clinic, whose injuries are too minor to seek medical care,
and who do not have access to medical facilities are less likely to be
captured by surveillance. The resulting sensitivity of the system is
estimated to be less than 50%.

...

For the entire article, in either HTML or PDF format, go to
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/bmj;330/7483/127

-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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