Title

Landmines: The Local Effects of Demining

Author(s)

Mounu Prem Mounu Prem (Universidad del Rosario)

Juan Vargas Juan Vargas (Universidad del Rosario)

Miguel E. Purroy Miguel Purroy (Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

Anti-personnel landmines are one of the main causes of civilian victimization in conflict-affected areas and a significant obstacle for post-war reconstruction. Demining campaigns are therefore a promising policy instrument to promote long-term development. We argue that the economic and social effects of demining are not unambiguously positive. Demining may have unintended negative consequences if it takes place while conflicts are ongoing, or if they do not lead to full clearance. Using highly disaggregated data on demining operations in Colombia from 2004 to 2019, and exploiting the staggered fashion of demining activity, we find that post-conflict humanitarian demining generates economic growth (measured with nighttime light density) and increases students’ performance in test scores. In contrast, economic activity does not react to post-conflict demining events carried out during military operations, and it decreases if demining takes place while the conflict is ongoing. Rather, demining events that result from military operations are more likely to exacerbate extractive activities.

Creation Date

2021-11

Section URL ID

Paper Number

28

URL

https://esoc.princeton.edu/WP28

File Function

Jel

D74, P48, Q56, I25

Keyword(s)

Landmines, demining, conflict, peace, local development, Colombia

Suppress

false

Series

12