Rising landmine, ERW casualties highlight urgent need for awareness in Arakan State

By Admin 10 Mar 2026

DMG Newsroom

10 March 2026, Gwa

Civilian casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) are increasing in Arakan State, where ongoing armed conflict has left dangerous remnants in areas people rely on for their livelihoods, including forests, farmlands, former battlefields and areas near military junta outposts.

On March 8, a child was killed and two others injured when a remnant bomb exploded in Kywechaing Village, Gwa Township, according to local sources.

A similar incident occurred on March 2, when two Muslim residents from Sittwe Township stepped on a landmine while catching birds near the fence of the No. 962 Engineering Battalion. One person was killed and the other seriously injured in the blast.

Earlier, on February 18, a 15-year-old from Gantgawyat Village in Ann Township was injured after stepping on a landmine while clearing weeds on a farm.

As the number of casualties continues to rise, calls are growing for expanded landmine awareness campaigns across the state.

“Because landmine and ERW explosions are increasing, we are conducting awareness sessions. We teach people to avoid former battle zones and restricted areas, and not to touch unfamiliar objects. However, due to fears of airstrikes, it has become difficult to gather people for training,” said a woman working with a civil society organization (CSO) that conducts landmine awareness programmes in Arakan State.

Although awareness activities are being carried out in townships such as Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw and Minbya, organizing large gatherings remains challenging due to security concerns.

She added that while CSOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), NGOs and INGOs are conducting awareness programs in some areas, similar initiatives remain limited in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Ann and Gwa Townships.

Many victims of landmine and ERW explosions in Arakan State are family breadwinners, leaving their households facing severe hardship.

U Chan Sein, a resident of Ponnagyun Township who lost his eyesight after stepping on a landmine, described the impact on his life.

“I stepped on a mine while herding cows and it exploded. I didn’t go blind immediately, but after a few months I lost my sight. As the breadwinner of my family, becoming blind has made it extremely difficult for us to survive. Sometimes I even think about ending my life,” he said.

U Chan Sein lost his right wrist and both eyes after the explosion while herding cattle on the Buddho mountain range west of his village in August 2022.

Meanwhile, residents say worsening economic conditions and job shortages are forcing many people to rely on forests and mountains for their livelihoods, increasing the risk of encountering landmines.

“My sister-in-law stepped on a landmine while going to the forest to collect firewood and lost her right leg. For people who depend on forests and mountains to survive, the risks are very high. That is why we want landmine clearance operations to be carried out everywhere,” said a resident of Khapaw Village in Kyauktaw Township.

According to data compiled by DMG, landmine and ERW explosions in Arakan State caused 84 deaths and 29 injuries between January 1, 2025, and March 10, 2026.