The Value Of Landmine Awareness Programs In Confict Settings: Evidence From Myanmar

Because of intense civil conflict ongoing since 2021, Myanmar is now ranked among the most heavily landmine-contaminated countries in the world (UNICEF). We propose to evaluate the impacts of a landmine education program across Myanmar using a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT). Landmines pose a significant threat not only to physical safety but also to the socio-economic well-being of communities in conflict-affected regions. Living near landmines may restrict agricultural activity, impede mobility, and diminish access to essential services such as schools and markets.
Individuals living near landmines are often those with recent experiences of conflict, and are typically among the most vulnerable in the country. Our study will test whether targeted educational interventions can, in addition to reducing landmine-related accidents, also improve livelihoods by improving mobility. The intervention would be delivered by our partner, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a leading humanitarian organization focusing on mine clearance and education. MAG has been delivering training sessions in Myanmar aimed at improving awareness and prevention strategies in mine-affected communities since 2013.
To measure these impacts, our study will randomize villages into treatment and control groups, with data collected via household surveys before and after the intervention. The surveys will capture knowledge of landmine risks, reported behavior, incidents of landmine-related accidents, and economic and psychological outcomes. In addition to improving our understanding of the factors restricting economic productivity in conflict-affected settings, we expect that our findings would be applicable to many other landslide-affected countries, especially in times of acute conflict when mine clearance may not be feasible.