UN News Today 01 December 2025 |

Landmine casualties hit a four-year high as global ban faces withdrawals and renewed mine use

Landmine deaths and injuries have risen to their highest level in four years, according to the UN-partnered civil society group behind the Landmine Monitor report.

This year’s edition says that more than 6,000 people were killed or injured in 2024 — most of them civilians in Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Loren Persi, team lead at the Landmine Monitor 2025 report, warned that civilians, especially children, continue to bear the brunt:

“Civilians made up 90 per cent of casualties in 2024. And children remained a significant portion of all casualties, so almost half, basically. Forty-six per cent of civilian casualties where the age was recorded. In the countries with the higher numbers of casualties, such as Myanmar, Syria and Afghanistan, the highest numbers of child casualties were found. (…) In Afghanistan, 77 per cent — so over three-quarters of all casualties were children, which is horrific.”

The report warns that the global ban on anti-personnel mines faces its most serious challenge in decades. Researchers say several European countries are moving to withdraw from the Mine Ban Treaty, citing changing security conditions, while Ukraine has signalled it may step back from some of its treaty obligations as part of its response to Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.

Extensive new landmine use has been reported in Myanmar and Russia, with additional allegations involving other armed forces — developments that could expand contamination for years to come.

The report’s authors also noted that that steep funding cuts, including a major freeze by the United States earlier this year, have already forced mine-clearance programmes to shut down in several countries.

The Landmine Monitor is produced by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines in partnership with the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, UNIDIR.

Sri Lanka reeling from deadly flooding after Cyclone Ditwah, warns OCHA

Sri Lanka is facing one of its worst flooding disasters in 20 years, according to the top UN aid official in the country.

Authorities report 212 people confirmed dead, 218 missing, and nearly one million people affected across all 25 districts. More than 180,000 people are sheltering in government-run centres.

The UN says the heaviest impacts are in Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam and Mannar, while landslides in the central highlands, including Kandy, Badulla and Matale, caused extensive loss of life.

More than 15,000 homes are reported destroyed, and major damage to roads, bridges, rail lines and parts of the national power grid is hampering access.

Flooding along the Kelani River, which runs through Colombo, continues to complicate rescue and relief operations.

The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office says all figures are still being verified, and humanitarian partners are supporting national authorities as response efforts continue.

Gaza: UN reports expanded winterization efforts as cold weather intensifies

The UN says humanitarian partners in Gaza are scaling up winterization efforts as cold weather and heavy rain continue to impact displaced Palestinians.

More than 230,000 families, around 1.15 million people, received monthly food parcels between 1 and 27 November, through 59 distribution points, including 21 in northern Gaza.

Shelter partners distributed over 8,800 blankets and more than 300 tents, with additional tarpaulins and mattresses arriving this week.

Site management teams warn that flooding remains a major risk.
Sandbags have been deployed to 41 displacement sites, while cash-for-work teams reinforce drainage and collect empty flour sacks to improve insulation.

On Friday, UN-coordinated aid entering Gaza included dignity kits, menstrual health items, medical supplies and adolescent kits — though road damage and limited transport continue to restrict access, especially in the north.

Protection partners say gender-based violence services reached 671 women and girls in one day last week, with new tents allowing safe spaces to reopen after flood damage.

Katy Dartford, UN News