The Unseen Legacy: Cluster Munitions, Civilian Harm, and a Looming Funding Crisis
More than 1,200 civilians have been killed or maimed by cluster munitions in Ukraine since February 2022, a figure that likely represents just the tip of the iceberg. But the true scale of the devastation – and the long-term consequences – extends far beyond this single conflict, echoing decades of suffering in countries like Laos and Syria, and now emerging in Myanmar. The chilling reality is that the full impact of these indiscriminate weapons often isn’t known for years, even decades, after they’re deployed, leaving a legacy of unexploded ordnance and enduring trauma.
The Delayed Toll: A History of Hidden Casualties
The immediate aftermath of cluster munition attacks is horrific, but the danger doesn’t end with the initial explosions. Submunitions, often referred to as “bomblets,” fail to detonate on impact, scattering across vast areas and becoming de facto landmines. As Loren Persi, team lead for the Cluster Munition Monitor report, points out, accurate casualty figures are often delayed. “This only came out [years] later” in conflicts like those in Syria and Yemen, where the true extent of civilian harm remained obscured for extended periods. In Laos, the most contaminated country globally, “it took decades” to confirm the staggering number of deaths and injuries caused by decades-old strikes.
New Frontlines, Old Weapons: Myanmar and Beyond
The use of cluster munitions isn’t confined to well-publicized conflicts. The Cluster Munition Monitor report reveals a disturbing trend: forces in Myanmar have been deploying “domestically produced” air-delivered cluster bombs since around 2022, targeting schools and civilian areas in regions like Chin, Rakhine, and Kachin states. This highlights a dangerous proliferation of these weapons, even as some nations cease production. Recent allegations also point to potential use in the conflict between Israel and Iran, with reports of cluster munitions being used in Gaza and southern Lebanon, though these remain unverified.
The Devastating Impact on Children
Perhaps the most heartbreaking aspect of this issue is the disproportionate impact on children. In 2024, children accounted for 42% of casualties from cluster munitions. Their curiosity and lack of understanding make them particularly vulnerable, often mistaking submunitions for toys. This tragic reality underscores the indiscriminate nature of these weapons and the urgent need for increased awareness and education.
Understanding the Mechanics of Harm
Cluster munitions are designed to disperse smaller explosives over a wide area, maximizing damage. According to UNIDIR, a single attack can deploy thousands of explosive units across hundreds of square meters. While intended for military targets – armor, personnel, and materiel – the reality is that civilians consistently bear the brunt of the suffering. The wide dispersal and high failure rate of submunitions create a persistent threat long after the conflict has subsided.
A Funding Crisis Threatens Clearance Efforts
Clearing contaminated land is a painstaking and expensive process, but it’s essential for protecting civilians and enabling reconstruction. However, funding cuts are severely hindering these efforts. Countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon, which had made significant progress in land clearance, are now “really struggle[ing] with funding…to get the clearance done,” explains Katrin Atkins, a senior researcher at Cluster Munitions Monitor. Essential programs, like a decades-long USAID initiative in Laos providing first aid and rehabilitation services to victims, have been discontinued, leaving a critical gap in support.
The Global Landscape: Production and Adherence
Despite the clear humanitarian consequences, 17 countries continue to produce cluster munitions or reserve the right to do so, including Brazil, China, Iran, Israel, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, and the United States. Notably, none of these nations are State Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, an international treaty prohibiting the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of these weapons. However, progress has been made: 18 countries have now ceased production, and all former producers are now State Parties to the Convention, with the exception of Argentina.
Looking Ahead: The Risk of Escalation and the Need for Sustainable Funding
The continued use and production of cluster munitions, coupled with dwindling funding for clearance and victim assistance, paints a grim picture. The conflict in Ukraine has tragically demonstrated the immediate and long-term consequences of deploying these weapons in populated areas. The emerging use of domestically produced cluster munitions in Myanmar raises concerns about further proliferation and the potential for even wider-scale civilian harm. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach: increased international pressure on non-signatory states, sustained funding for clearance and victim assistance programs, and a renewed commitment to the principles of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Without a concerted effort, the unseen legacy of these weapons will continue to haunt communities for generations to come.
What steps do you believe are most critical to mitigating the long-term harm caused by cluster munitions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
