Myanmar: Landmine Survivors Rebuild Lives Through Physical Rehabilitation
In conflict-affected regions of Myanmar, landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to cause life‑changing injuries. 357 casualties were recorded in the first half of 2025 alone in Myanmar, according to UNICEF. Many survivors face long and difficult journeys to regain their mobility and independence.
On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) shares the voices of landmine survivors in Myanmar who are rebuilding their lives through long‑term physical rehabilitation.
Daw Nang Htay stepped on a landmine while showing a friend’s house for sale in Hsihseng Township,Shan State. Injured and unable to work, she faced months of despair.
“I went near the water tank to wash my hands, and when I turned back, the landmine exploded. Before I came here, I had completely given up. Now that I have a prosthetic leg, I’ll try my best,” she says.
With a prosthetic limb provided through ICRC-supported services in Kyaing Tong, she is rebuilding her life and planning to return to work in the local market.
Children represent around a third of those injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war. In Kachin State, seven-year-old Hkam Je was injured at home when a landmine exploded while he was playing with his younger sister in the family’s compound. The blast caused the loss of part of his foot, and he is now learning to walk again with a prosthetic device at the Myitkyina Physical Rehabilitation Centre, supported by his family.
“The physiotherapist has been very patient and caring, treating my son like her own brother,” said his father, U Zahkung La.
In Bago Region, Ma Myint Myint Khaing, a mother of two, was picking beans near her village when a landmine exploded.
“At first, I just felt a strong vibration. Then I saw that my leg had been blown off. I tried to call for help, but the others ran — afraid to come near. I had to hop to the embankment alone. Only at the hospital did I realize my eye was also injured,” she recalls.
She is now receiving support at the Hpa‑an Physical Rehabilitation Centre and says she feels stronger and more hopeful with her new prosthesis.
“Access to rehabilitation is often a matter of survival,” said Michel Deffontaines, ICRC Physical Rehabilitation Programme Manager in Myanmar. “Without it, many people lose their independence — or worse.”
Since 2021, more than 19,000 people with disabilities have received support from ICRC‑supported rehabilitation centres in Myanmar. The ICRC also supports local prosthetic production and national staff training to ensure the sustainability of care.
For further information, please contact:
Francisco Javier Pavon, ICRC Yangon, tel:+959 880918941, email: fpavonmolina@icrc.org
Aye Myat Thu, ICRC Yangon, tel:+959 786709654, email: amyatthu@icrc.org
Length: 5:45
Location: Myanmar (Kyaing Tong, Myitkyina, Bago Region)
Language: Burmese, Kachin
Date Of Filming: November 2025
Copyright: ICRC access all
On Screen Credit: ICRC written or logo attached to story
00:00 – 00:09
Daw Nang Htay fits her prosthetic leg herself. Her husband sits beside her, supporting her at the Kyaing Tong Physical Rehabilitation Centre inShan State.
00:10 – 00:44
Daw Nang Htay does fitting and balance exercises with the prosthetic leg, assisted by ICRC and local staff at the centre.
00:45 – 01:22
Daw Nang Htay speaks to the camera (Burmese):
“The incident happened in Hsihseng. I live in Ban Rin village. My friend called me about her property that was for sale.
She had just cleaned the house and asked me to help connect with the buyer. So, I went there with a group of 20 people; I was the only one injured because I stepped on a landmine.
I went near the water tank to wash my hands, and when I turned back, the landmine exploded.
The scars on my hand and forehead are from the fragments.
After being fitted with the prosthetic leg, I plan to sell things at the market because I can no longer do hard labour.
So, for now, I think the only work I can do is selling goods at the market.”
01:23 – 01:39
ICRC prosthetist prepares and adjusts Daw Nang Htay’s prosthetic limb in the workshop at Kyaing Tong PRC.
01:40 – 02:04
Seven-year-old Hkam Je, who lost part of his foot in a landmine explosion, is examined by a physiotherapist at Myitkyina Physical Rehabilitation Centre (MPRC). Shots of the prosthetic being fitted and walking practice.
02:05 – 02:32
Additional gait training and assessment by the physiotherapist, who gently supports Hkam Je during rehabilitation exercises.
02:33 – 02:39
Hkam Je plays indoors with his father and another child amputee at the centre.
02:40 – 03:43
U Zahkung La, father of Hkam Je, speaks to the camera (Kachin):
“In November 2024, during the harvesting season, my son Hkam Je stepped on a landmine.
At first, he and his younger sister pressed it and played with it, but nothing happened. Then they decided to step on it and run away.
Being a boy, Hkam Je was the one to step on it and run. When he did, the device exploded and he was injured.
When the conflict in our region escalated, we moved to Moegaung Roman Catholic Church in Ma Hwan village, Mogaung Township, where we met with ICRC staff.
They provided us with cash assistance and helped us contact the Myitkyina Physical Rehabilitation Centre.
The physiotherapist has been very patient and caring – treating my son like her own brother. Now, my son has received this prosthetic leg.”
03:44 – 04:01
Scenes of family life: Hkam Je sits with his parents. His father feeds him. He later eats together with other children.
04:02 – 04:31
Wide and close-up shots of Ma Myint Myint Khaing during her rehabilitation session at Hpa-an PRC in Bago Region. She adjusts her prosthetic leg, walks across parallel bars, and performs guided exercises.
04:32 – 05:46
Ma Myint Myint Khaing, speaks to the camera (Burmese):
“I don’t want anyone else to experience what I went through. A landmine exploded while I was picking beans.
I fell to the ground immediately. At first, I just felt a strong vibration nearby, so I panicked and lay flat on the ground.
Later, when I tried to get up, I felt something sticky on my leg, but I still didn’t know what had happened.
I looked closely and realized that my leg had been blown off.
I tried to get up and called to the other bean pickers for help, but they froze and stared at me.
When I shouted out again, they ran toward the village – too afraid to help.
So, I tried to hop by myself to the embankment.
When I got there, people came to me with a stretcher – a traditional one made from bamboo and a blanket.
It was only when I arrived at the hospital that I realized my eye was also injured.
At first, I felt deeply depressed. Now that I’ve received a prosthetic leg, I feel more at ease.
All the staff encouraged me and provided training. They made the prosthetic leg with great care and precision, and also helped me with physical exercises.”
Ends
