Landmines are widely planted in Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Shan and Mon states and Tanintharyi and Bago regions. About five million people are in danger from landmines, according to the Myanmar Landmine Clearance Initiative. Currently, the government has only tried to educate residents about the dangers and treated the victims of explosions.

Thant Zin, chairperson of the Peace Myanmar Aid Foundation, said: “Many landmines are unexploded. We cannot clear them as we have not got the green-light from the government yet. About seven teams from home and abroad are ready to clear landmines.”

Landmine clearance is one of the first rehabilitation procedures under last October’s nationwide ceasefire agreement.

More than 60 experts from home and abroad drew a draft landmine clearance plan over six months. Personnel are now ready to start work but were waiting for government and military approval, according to the Myanmar Peace Centre.