Most of the mines in Colombia are improvised, commonly made from household items such as coffee cans, soda bottles, jerry cans
Colombia currently has mine accident rates similar to those of Afghanistan and Cambodia. ECHO reports that Colombia has the second highest amount of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) next to Sudan. Mines are one of the factors preventing IDPs returning to their homes.
Whilst over 10,000 potentially Suspect Hazardous Areas (SHAs) exist in Colombia’s IMSMA records, it is unlikely all of these still contain active mines.
Mines laid by NSAGs are found on routes used by government forces and around schools and houses used as bases in rural areas. In regions that the Colombian military now control these mines are still present and are preventing the civilian population returning and the necessary development taking place.