To assess the social cost of land mines in Cambodia, CIET conducted a survey in 38 communities in 1994. The sites were selected by multi-stage stratified sampling to be as representative of the country as possible given the absence of a reliable sampling frame and restrictions on movement. Around seven percent of the households surveyed were affected by land mine accidents, while 22% of households answered that they had been forced to move because of land mines. Walking to the fields and between villages was the most risky activity for Cambodians. Estimated potential increase in agricultural production if there were no land mines was 135%. Some two percent of households had tried to remove land mines, exposing them to a fourfold increase in risk of having a victim in the household. Out of all land mine victims, 61% went into debt to seek medical care. Focus group discussions suggested that community meetings and interpersonal communication were the best channels to increase awareness. They also suggested that animal husbandry was one of the major employment opportunities among those disabled by land mines. This study received field support from UNICEF, Cambodian Mine Awareness and Clearance and the Cambodia Trust.

For further information see:
Andersson, N., Palha de Sousa, C., Paredes, S. Social cost of land mines in four countries: Afghanistan, Bosnia, Cambodia and Mozambique. British Medical Journal 1995; 311:718-721.