Humanitarian Demining Equipment Catalog. Taming the Demon ... Solving the Global Problem of Uncleared Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance.

Since the mid 19th century, landmines have been an important and prolific weapon of war. Although a long-standing and accepted part of warfare between military forces, world events have evolved to an era where innocent civilians are now the primary victims of landmines. The proliferation of landmines throughout the world is the most significant cause of the high number of civilian casualties. They are a prominent weapon in these regions because they are so effective, yet so inexpensive and easy to make. Landmines are frightening residual weapons of war that retard resettlement and economic renewal. This menace denies access to roadways and other lines of communication, villages and urban areas, agricultural fields and other rural areas long after the declaration of peace. Their numbers and the devastation they exact are staggering. When published in early 1995, the Department of State report Hidden Killers, the Global Landmine Crisis estimated that some 85-110 million mines in 62 countries maim and kill approximately 26,000 people a year. The problem is most acute in underdeveloped nations already ravaged by conflict and lacking the resources and the infrastructure needed to deal with their landmine problems. The removal and destruction of all forms of dangerous battlefield debris, particularly land mines and other unexploded ordnance UXO, are vital pre-requisites for a country to recover from the aftermath of a war.