There are 31,273 people killed or injured by explosive weapons in 2022 (including 20,793 civilians) compared to 19,722 in 2021 (including 11,343 civilians), according to a report published Monday, April 24 by the Explosive Weapons Observatory.
In 2022, the number of civilian casualties from the use of explosive weapons increased by 83%, compared to 2021, according to a report published Monday, April 24 by the Explosive Weapons Observatory, in which Handicap International participates, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) and Insecurity Insight. In this report, obtained by the International Editorial Board of Radio France, there are 31,273 people killed or injured by explosive weapons in 2022 (including 20,793 civilians) compared to 19,722 in 2021 (including 11,343 civilians). A total of 50,995 people have been killed or injured by explosive weapons in two years, including 32,136 civilians. This increase in the number of victims is due in particular to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the increasing use of explosive weapons in the conflicts in Ethiopia, Myanmar and Somalia.
In 2021 and 2022, the Observatory reports 1,158 incidents involving explosive weapons on essential, health or emergency aid infrastructures, such as hospitals, ambulances and schools. In detail, 603 incidents affecting health care were recorded in 2022, compared to 165 the previous year. An increase also due to the emergence of the armed conflict in Ukraine, where an average of 47 incidents of the use of explosive weapons affecting health systems were recorded each month between April and the end of 2022.
In 2022, explosive weapons fired from the ground are the most used
In 2021, intentionally planted explosive weapons (such as booby traps, mines and improvised devices) were the most widely used, with 1,236 incidents. In 2022, explosive weapons fired from the ground (rockets, mortars, artillery shells, etc.) were most often used, with 2,273 incidents resulting in 12,689 victims (86% of whom were civilians). . The Explosive Weapons Observatory, created in 2022, delivers its first-ever global report on incidents, practices and damage caused by bombing and shelling on cities. The Observatory plans to publish one every year.
This first publication comes six months after the adoption in Dublin, Ireland, by 83 States, of an international agreement against the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. “This adoption is the official recognition by a large number of States, including Belgium, Canada, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, of the human suffering caused by the bombings and shelling on cities”writes Handicap International in its summary.
“By providing information and analysis, we want to continue to pressure states to implement concrete policies and measures to restrict the use of explosive weapons in populated areas and to encourage non- signatories to accede to the international agreement”says Alma Taslidžan, head of advocacy on disarmament and the protection of civilians.