...it is generally regarded that BiH is the most mine contaminated country in Europe and according to recent LIS findings is amongst the worst mine impacted countries in the World...
The mine contamination problem in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a direct consequence of the recent war 1992 to 1995. Current estimates regarding the scope of the problem imply that there are 670,000 mines and 650,000 UXO within the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mine-suspected area is estimated to be over 2,000 km2 (square kilometers) roughly 4% of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entire territory. Unfortunately, the available data is neither complete nor reliable. In the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) database there are 18,600 registered minefield records. Drawing from the BHMAC’s experience from the General Survey, approximately 25% of the available minefield records were not correct, reducing knowledge about the minefields even further.
Minefields in Bosnia and Herzegovina are generally low density, widespread and random in pattern. They contain a relatively small number of mines, mostly planted in groups or separately, with the unknown order. A principal problem is the quality of minefields records; in most cases, the exact location, shape of the minefield and number of mines in the area cannot be precisely determined. Many records were not delivered after the war; instead, they were destroyed or hidden by individuals. In some cases, it may be assumed that the individuals who planted the minefields were killed during the confrontation, left the country, or, for some other reasons, kept the valuable information.
The best general estimate of the mine situation is currently based on the Systematic Survey results, Landmine Impact Study results, overall mine action results and the data collected and processed within the existing databases of the BHMAC and other national and international organizations.
For more information about the mine situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, see Mine Action Strategic Analysis in Publications. For more information on the territorial distribution of mine-suspected areas, see Minefield Map.
Landmine victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Since the beginning of war to the December 1 2004, there are 4866 mine and UXO victims recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 1996 to the December 1 2004, there are 1520 mine victims recorded, out of which 427 people were killed by landmines.
Monthly statistics indicate the constant decrease in the number of mine victims. In 2003, the average was 4.5 mine victims per month. Looking at the seasonal variations in mine victim numbers from 1996 to 2003, one can conclude that the majority of the mine incidents happen in springtime.
However, if these seasonal variations are observed from the beginning of 2003 up to date, the picture is slightly different. Besides the fact that the majority of accidents causing mine victims happened in March, there is a trend of the increased number of mine victims in months of July and October.
According to the result of the ICRS survey conducted in 2003, 40% of all mine victims are adult men, age 19-39, who consciously enter the mined areas, and they are the most endangered group. Children younger than 18 years are 20% of all mine victims. One of the conclusions of this survey is that in the majority of cases, adults are more likely to be injured or killed while acting alone. In contrast, children are more likely to be killed or injured while acting in a group. The ratio between the numbers injured and killed in year 1996 was 5:1. In subsequent years, this ratio approached 1:1.
The population that never left their houses during the war has been, so far, the most endangered category. However, in 2003, the number of mine victims rapidly increased among the returnees. This may be understood by considering the fact that a larger return of the Bosnia and Herzegovina population was expected in year 2003 and that the returnees were not well informed on the dangers that these mines represent.
In the last few years, mine victims have been mostly adult men, age 20 to 60. Although they are aware of the mine danger, they are compelled to enter the mine risk areas for economic reasons, such as woodcutting, agricultural activities, etc.