It is estimated that around the world there are 50 to 110 million landmines buried in the soil. Governments at war use land mines to stop, kill or disable forces of an opposing country. But when the conflict has ended the landmines are left behind, indiscriminately killing and maiming any person or animal who accidentally trips the firing mechanism.26,000 people a year are killed or injured by landmines. In Cambodia and Afghanistan 1 out of every 230 people is an amputee. Children cannot safely play in open areas without fear of being blown apart and children around the world sustain more injuries from landmines that the “enemies” they are intended to stop.
By August of 2004, 145 countries had signed and 143 countries had ratified a treaty to ban landmines. The United States is among the company of 47 nations who HAVE NOT signed the treaty. We have aligned ourselves on this issue with Iran, Syria, Russia, China, and Cuba, who also refuse to sign. Our government even refuses to send representatives to meetings with the commission that oversees the treaty and efforts to end landmine use by all countries.
Until we can put an end to this senseless destruction, there are groups working to help amputees all around the world. One example is Canadian designer Sébastien Dubois, who recently won a prestigious design award for a low cost ($8.00 per unit) prosthetic leg that can be easily reproduced in developing countries with available materials. The leg is lightweight and energy returning, meaning it bounces and absorbs energy much like a real foot. This allows the wearer enough mobility not to just walk but to also run and jump.
He has partnered with Handicap International in a project to provide the “Mobility for Each One” limbs to citizens in Central America. Handicap International is working to secure funding and donations to launch the project as quickly as possible.
After traveling to developing countries, Dubois saw first hand the difficulties landmine amputees face when there is little to no rehabilitation services available to them. Moved by a strong social conscience, Sébastien decided to use his time to produce and test a product that would help ease the struggles of landmine victims.
I applaud Mr. Dubois and Handicap International for coming to the aid of those who come incontact with these leftover devices of death. If you’d like to know more about this effort and the man behind it please read this article on Handicap International.
