Date : 01/2004

Country/Region : MYANMAR

Title : Myanmar : the forgotten war

Duration : 00:02:28

Director : MOUCHET, Louis; POWELL, Janet

Cameraman : SIDLER, Roland; GRAENISCHER, Laurent

Editor : GRAENISCHER, Laurent

Keyword : RURAL AREA; LIMB-FITTING CENTRE; LIMB-FITTING; DISABLED PERSON; TESTIMONY; PROSTHESIS; AGRICULTURE; LIMB-FITTING WORKSHOP

Confidentiality level : public

Publication restrictions : publication without restrictions

Copyright : CNN; ICRC

Production company : CNN

ICRC producer :
none

Description : Since the 1997 treaty banning the use and stockpiling of landmines there have been some heroic efforts to clear minefields but, in many places, these efforts are no match for the scale of the problem. No one knows how many landmines have been laid across vast stretches of territory or even where the mines are. In addition to this lack of information, in some countries, there are neither the resources nor the political will to tackle the problem. As a result, in too many countries landmines remain a constant threat of death and injury.
In Myanmar (also known as Burma) landmines litter the eastern border with Thailand. They’ve been widely used for over fifty years and are a constant danger to local villagers trying to eke out a living in this very isolated region. There is no attempt to map or clear the mines, and accidents are common. Last year, a new Red Cross Centre opened in Karen State in south-east Myanmar to help mine victims in this border region. Before the Centre was built, they had to travel hundreds of miles for treatment – or go without. Since it opened, the centre supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has helped 600 mine victims.

Original language : Spanish

English title : Myanmar : the forgotten war

Colour/B&W : colour

Original material/format : Betacam SP

Best material/format available : Betacam SP