The Wire

Throughout the many wars fought during the twentieth century, landmines have been deployed in more than 80 countries around the world world. Designed to maim soldiers during conflict, landmines are capable of inflicting hideous injuries. However, the devastation continues during peacetime with millions of landmines still hidden in fields, forests, roads, railways, water supplies and towns. In countries like Cambodia, Chechnya, Mozambique, Angola and Bosnia, a civilian is injured or killed by a landmine every 20 minutes. And in Afghanistan, a country which has experienced more than two decades of internal conflict, landmines have been one of the main weapons used by all sides. Austcare is one of many non-governmental organisations trying to help communities affected by landmines in Afghanistan. Nasiba Akram (pronounced as NA-seeba AK-ram) is a refugee from Afghanistan who has been living in Sydney since the Soviet invasion in 1979. Nasiba spoke to Anne So about the devastation that has been wrought by landmines in Afghanistan.