These cluster bombs, or submunitions, are small metallic canisters that are ejected from artillery shells in mid-flight and shower a wide area with explosions. Unfortunately, about a quarter of the bomblets fail to explode on impact.
Unexploded cluster bombs are highly unstable and can be activated by touch or motion — causing the loss of limbs or loss of life. At least two accidents occur daily.
The vast number of unexploded ordinances is having a major impact on families. Agriculture is the main source of income in southern Lebanon, and the presence of the unexploded bomblets prevents farmers from harvesting current crops or planting for the next season and prevents herders from using the lands for grazing. This leads to significant financial losses for the communities.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has provided $50,000 to help with mine removal and mine awareness education. Our partner, DanChurchAid, is working in Battle Area Clearance and Mine Education and, in the past two months, has removed 65,000 mines from Lebanon. This compares with about 25,000 mines that were removed from Kosovo in two years.
A key focus of this education will be in helping children identify and understand the risks of unexploded ordnance. The large number of bomblets includes some that fall from olive and citrus trees. Authorities have been called to school because young children pick these up and carry them in backpacks or throw them to other children. |
