UN seeks more protection from explosive weapons in conflicts

The destructive harm caused by explosive weapons is undoubted, with thousands of casualties resulting from their use each year. The United Nations is addressing this humanitarian issue to protect citizens in populated areas during armed conflicts, such as seen in countries like Syria, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Iraq. 

According to a statement by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 90% of the victims of explosive weapons are civilian populations, leading to severe and long-term harm, as well as destroying livelihoods, housing infrastructure, and vital facilities such as schools and hospitals. Children account for roughly half of the casualties from explosive attacks, it added. 

The survivors who witness attacks by explosive weapons may suffer from permanent physical injuries and various forms of psychological or emotional trauma, particularly children, who are also vulnerable and exposed to interruptions or halting access to education, the UN said in a statement. 

The use of explosive weapons in populated areas can result in huge rates of displacement due to the loss of vital facilities such as water pipelines, electricity, sanitations facilities and medical services, increasing the risk and spread of diseases, according to UNICEF. 

Even after the conflict, the explosive remnants of war can kill or injure civilians, as well as prevent any reconstruction work or the return of displaced inhabitants, according to the UN.   

Since 2009, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on nations to adopt a commitment to avoid the use of explosive weapons. He fully supported an international political declaration, led by Ireland since 2019, to address harms resulting from explosive weapons. He continues to advocate for a political declaration that includes a clear commitment to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the UN reported. 

Since 2010, humanitarian organizations, including civil society, have exerted efforts to raise awareness about the severe humanitarian impact of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the UN said in a statement. 

The United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and a number of NGOs worldwide have published many studies to improve military policies and practices that have been noticed in cases such as the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and the African Union Mission in Somalia, according to a statement by the UN. 

For its part, UNICEF is calling on governments to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas in order to prevent human suffering and to protect children worldwide, it said in a statement.