Numer Bibliospisu - T3

w języku angielskim

the humanitarian impact of cluster munition

The current international debate surrounding cluster munitions and the discussion of a ban or tightened restrictions on their use has focused attention on the humanitarian impact of these weapons. In addition to killing and injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure at the time of use, they invariably leave behind unexploded submunitions which continue to pose a threat to human life, restrict access to natural resources and impede post-war recovery and development processes for many years after their use. Over three decades after cluster munitions were used in Lao and Viet Nam they continue to cause death and injury, disrupt the economic activities of ordinary people and hamper the implementation of development projects there. Even rapid large-scale clearance efforts, such as those that have been implemented in Kosovo and Lebanon, cannot prevent cluster munition contamination from having an impact. In Kosovo civilian casualties from cluster munitions are still being reported and in Lebanon, despite clearance beginning immediately after the 2006 conflict, it could not prevent casualties among the population as they returned to their homes and livelihoods.

This report has been produced in response to requests from states to provide evidence of the impact of cluster munition use and contamination. It draws on a wide range of sources to highlight the ways in which such contamination disrupts daily life and development throughout the world. The impact of cluster munition use and contamination is discussed thematically to show the effects on different sectors of the civilian population; the economic impact at community, regional and national level; and how relief, postwar recovery and development processes are affected. Case studies of Cambodia and Lebanon show in more detail how contamination affects the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people.