Peacebomb
Peacebomb Panel Discussion
In this discussion, Mines Advisory Group Director, Jamie Franklin and Article 22 Founder & CEO, Elizabeth Suda share details on how landmines work, and what actions they’ve taken to give back to the Laotian community.
250 million bombs and 80 million still waiting to detonate.
“Contamination prevents communities from fully utilizing their land, with the main economic activities for rural communities – forestry and agriculture – accounting for a large proportion of unexploded bomb accidents.”
Today, the landmine crisis is still devastating families all over the world. During the Vietnam War, Laos became the most heavily bombed country. It’s been over 40 years since the war has been over, and more than 20,000 people have been killed by unexploded bombs. A large population of victims being children.
MAG (Mines Advisory Group) has made it its mission to remove as many of these bombs as it possibly can, striving for 100 percent. They fought for the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and since 1997 stockpiles in 159 countries have been destroyed and 33 countries are now said to be free of all landmines. Yet, there is still a lot of work to be done.
“In 2019, 156 square kilometers of mined areas were cleared; more than 123,000 anti-personnel mines were discovered and destroyed; and despite ongoing conflict, teams in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen continued clearance operations”
“The more Peacebomb jewelry you wear, the more land you clear and make safe, the more metal for artisans to create more designs.”
Article 22, a fashion brand, teamed up with MAG to start the movement “Buying Back the Bombs” making a positive change for Laos’ economy. Over the years, the Loas people started a tradition of turning bomb metal into spoons. Article 22 saw an opportunity to start making bracelets that could be sold internationally.
Peacebomb by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm and Anthony Silvestri is a piece that is inspired by their story. The Laotian families who have found a way to transform a negative into a positive, by making spoons then jewelry from the metal of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Peacebomb celebrates transformation and our ability to make a meaningful impact on our world.
Since the uprise of Covid-19, it’s been more challenging for MAG to do their humanitarian work. They had to temporarily put a halt to clearing landmines all over the world. Their risk education transitioned virtually making it more complicated to prepare civilians on how to deal with the landmines.
“The pandemic has also driven people into contaminated areas. ‘Often the rural poor and economically disadvantaged are at the greatest risk,’ adds Loddo. ‘This was true before the pandemic, and it remains true today.’”
You’re probably asking yourself, “how do I help?” MAG has wonderful resources on its website. You can donate, join their movement, host fundraisers, and more. All you have to do is take action!