Lebanon Appeal

Sukna Didn't Spot the Bomb

Urgent appeal to rid Lebanon of UXO 

One million unexploded cluster ‘bomblets’ litter South Lebanon, primed and ready to blow an inquisitive child or unsuspecting adult to bits.

No More Landmines needs funds now to detect, deactivate and remove cluster bomblets and other deadly unexploded ordnance (UXO) from civilian areas. Please send your donation today so another child’s innocent game doesn’t end in tragedy.  

Landmines and other indiscriminate explosives have been used extensively in Lebanon since the beginning of the civil war in 1975. Because of this, unexploded weapons, including cluster bomblets, have littered the country long before the hostilities of 2006. 

The 34-day conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 claimed the lives of an estimated 1,000 civilians in Lebanon – about one third of whom were children. Tragically, the death and suffering did not end there for the Lebanese people. 

In the last 72 hours of the conflict – after the ceasefire had been agreed on 11 August 2006 – the Israeli forces launched the majority of their remaining cluster munitions towards South Lebanon. Cluster munitions are missiles that contain dozens of smaller bomblets. They are launched by artillery, rocket launchers and aircraft. The cluster munitions break open at low altitudes to release their merciless payload.  

“What we did was insane and monstrous, we covered entire townsin cluster bombs.” Head of an Israeli Defence Force rocket unit posted in Lebanon during the war, quoted in Haaretz daily newspaper, Israel, 12 September 2006 

The UN Mine Action Coordination Centre in South Lebanon, however, estimates that only 60% of those bombarded on Lebanon detonated. Today an estimated one million unexploded cluster bomblets fired by Israeli forces litter the villages of South Lebanon. 

Already more than 250 adults and children have been killed, injured or maimed by unexploded cluster munitions, many while checking the damage to their homes or working on their land. No More Landmines fund specialists to comb through thousands of acres of civilian areas – cities, towns and villages plagued by cluster bomblets and other deadly unexploded ordnance to make sure every cluster bomblet is destroyed before it can ruin another person’s life. 

Every £25 clears 25 square metres of land. Please act now. Every day that passes leaves children at risk of death or horrific and debilitating injuries. Just click here to donate. 

Thank you.