The Lingering Scars of Conflict: How Explosive Remnants of War Are Shaping the Future of Farming
In the wake of armed conflict, the immediate concerns are often the most visible: loss of life, displacement, and the breakdown of infrastructure. However, a less-discussed but equally devastating consequence continues to haunt communities long after the fighting stops: the hidden threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO). In regions like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), farmers are facing the grim reality that their fields, once symbols of sustenance, have become potential death traps. This is a story of fear, resilience, and the urgent need for solutions as we explore the far-reaching implications of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW).
The Desperate Measure: Burning Fields and its Consequences
The act of setting fire to fields, as seen in the DRC, is a desperate attempt to clear land believed to contain unexploded ordnance. Farmers, driven by fear for their families and a yearning to reclaim their livelihoods, are choosing a perilous “solution.” This practice, while understandable, carries severe environmental and economic repercussions. The destruction of ground cover leads to accelerated erosion and soil degradation. Furthermore, this practice makes any chance of demining operations even harder.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The consequences extend beyond immediate safety concerns. Burning fields impoverishes the soil, reducing its capacity to support future crops. Biodiversity suffers, and air quality deteriorates, creating a vicious cycle that exacerbates food insecurity and economic hardship. The loss of trees, as Paluku Kingaha discovered, can mean the loss of a valuable source of income through the production of honey and wood. As environmentalist Maîtrise Matungulu highlights, fire only replaces one problem with another, pushing the area further into a food crisis.
The Inefficiency of Fire as a Demining Solution
Fire is not a reliable method for dealing with UXO. The low temperatures of a bushfire are often not enough to detonate larger ordnance, like mortars or bombs. Instead, fires may trigger smaller devices, like grenades, leading to accidental explosions and further complicating future demining efforts. In addition, fires can destroy evidence and make it more difficult for demining teams to identify and safely remove remaining explosives.
The Consequences of Poor Demining Practices
The tragic stories of children killed by unexploded ordnance serve as stark reminders of the dangers that linger long after conflict has ceased. These incidents underscore the critical need for professionally managed demining programs and the dangers of improper disposal methods. As Zaria Bahati, of Synergie de Lutte Antimines emphasizes, these devices should not be handled by civilians, who should instead rely on authorities.
The Need for Action and Future Trends
The challenges are significant, but not insurmountable. The international community has a role to play, the Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War highlights the responsibilities of states to clear UXO. However, the DRC’s non-ratification of this protocol underscores the need for stronger enforcement and support for humanitarian demining efforts, including the creation of accessible resources for farmers and community education. New technological solutions are emerging, such as advanced detection equipment and remote demining robots, could revolutionize the efficiency and safety of removing UXO. The future will likely see a greater emphasis on preventative measures, such as stricter weapons control and the implementation of mine risk education programs.
Towards a Safer Future
The issue of **Explosive Remnants of War** necessitates a multi-faceted approach. It requires a combination of international cooperation, the allocation of additional funding, technological innovation, and a commitment to education and awareness. It is a long and difficult process, but the stakes are far too high to accept anything less than a concerted effort to secure a future where communities can safely return to their land, free from the deadly legacy of conflict. Farmers require a sense of security in the DRC and other areas of conflict, and their access to a sustainable livelihood is dependent on these changes.
For additional insights, you can check out this report from the United Nations Mine Action Service: UNMAS Strategic Plan 2024-2028.
What do you see as the most pressing need in the fight against ERW? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
