Wed Sep 25 04:00:08 UTC 2024: ## Unexploded Ordnance: The Deadly Legacy of Forever Wars

**Washington, D.C.** – While wars may officially end, the devastating effects of weaponry left behind can linger for decades, leaving a deadly legacy of pain and death across generations. This is particularly true for modern conflicts like the “forever wars” following 9/11, according to Andrea Mazzarino, co-founder of the Costs of War Project.

Mazzarino highlights the ongoing threat posed by unexploded ordnance (UXO) like shells, grenades, and cluster munitions, which can remain active for years after conflict ends. The most dangerous among these are cluster munitions, which can scatter over vast areas and explode in mid-air, causing widespread damage and destruction.

Even after conflicts cease, the presence of UXO can have devastating consequences for civilians, often tragically involving children. In Cambodia, the aftermath of the Vietnam War continues to claim lives, with an estimated 20,000 Cambodians killed by leftover landmines and UXO since 1979. Similarly, Laos, heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, continues to grapple with unexploded bomblets that have killed or maimed tens of thousands of people since the 1930s.

The ongoing war in Ukraine is another stark example of the enduring threat posed by UXO. Despite international efforts to ban cluster munitions, the U.S. and Russia have both employed them in the conflict, leaving behind millions of new time bombs that will continue to endanger Ukrainians for years to come.

“The fear of being harmed by these weapons is magnified by knowing or seeing someone injured or killed,” writes Suzanne Fiederlein and SaraJane Rzegocki, researchers at the Costs of War Project. The psychological impact of living with the constant threat of UXO is profound, adding to the suffering and instability left in the wake of war.

Mazzarino underscores the need for greater awareness and action to address the deadly legacy of UXO. “We need to ask ourselves what future generations may have to deal with thanks to what our leaders do today in the name of expediency,” she urges. “It couldn’t be more important to bear witness to what’s being done to destroy our world and, when the fighting ends, it’s also vital to pay attention to what has been left behind.”

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