After a conflict has ended, landmines can continue to claim lives, impede development and create a feeling of fear and insecurity. In addition to death and injuries, when landmines, unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war obstruct roads and poison fields, they threaten productivity, basic social services and access to property and vital infrastructure, including schools and health centers.

The UN estimates that more than 1,000,000 people have been killed or injured by landmines in the past 30 years. Worldwide, the productivity costs associated with landmine and small arms violence have been estimated as high as US$163 billion a year. Although landmine injuries have declined dramatically by as much as 75 percent from 1996 to 2010, it is thought that 110 million active landmines are still scattered across the globe in 68 different countries.

The United Nations Mine Action community is comprised of 14 UN bodies all working towards the eradication of the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war, to facilitate development and to ensure that victims are fully integrated into society. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports programmes in 40 countries affected by mines. UNDP works to ensure that Mine Action is incorporated into national budgets and development plans promoting agricultural production, infrastructure construction, water supply, health, education, and the delivery of other basic social services.