WAR is undeniably an attribute to poverty and hunger. People in many developing countries are struggling to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of war.
Peace in countries like Cambodia, Mozambique and Vietnam is offering new opportunities, but the spectre of war lingers in the form of one of the world's most destructive weapons - the landmine.
There are millions of landmines in the developing world, effectively crippling many countries long after war.
According to the US Department of State, there are more than 100 million mines laid in 64 countries.
These cause an estimated 24,000 to 26,000 fatalities a year, the majority civilians. In countries where Oxfam Hong Kong works, including Cambodia, Mozambique, Sudan and Somalia, millions of mines continue to be deployed spelling further disaster.
Landmines not only take people's lives, they also lead to serious economic and social problems in developing countries. In wartime, mines were mostly laid in major communication links and economic hubs. Therefore, even when the wars are over, mine clearance is exceedingly difficult.
