laura boushnak

__________

intro’d to Laura via her tedsummit 2016 – The deadly legacy of cluster bombs

During the 34-day Israel-Hezbollah War in 2006, an estimated four million cluster submunitions were dropped on Lebanon, killing indiscriminately. The danger remains, as many bomblets failed to explode and lay dormant, waiting to maim or kill anyone who encounters them.

everytime i want to go on hike.. in back of mind.. might lose a limb.. started 10 yrs ago after i met ahmhamad (he was 11).. cluster bomb survivor.. of summer 2006

estimate of 4 mill cluster .. during 34 day conflict..

young boy to teenager to young jobless man.. trying to meet a girlfriend… survivors of bomb trauma have to deal with so many details that never occur to us

this weapon.. used in so many parts of world.. and continues to kill on a regular basis w/o distinguishing between a military target or a child.. who made those weapons.. and what for

large canister filled w bomblets.. releases 100s.. on impact many fail to explode.. sit on ground waiting for next target.. extremely unpredictable.. ie: farmers… never know if setting one off… children mistake bomblets for toys..

was born in refugee camp.. some 400 000.. not allowed to work in public sector.. denied right to own properties.. one reason he wasn’t worried about dropping out of school after injury.. what’s’ the big deal if can’t get job anyway.. vicious circle of impact..

can’t provide for family.. continual physical pain.. isolated..

these weapons affect the poorest of the poor.. rely on humanitarian injuries for medical.. which is insufficient and unsustainable..10 yrs after ahmhammad’s injury.. unable to get legs..

worst/invisible impact.. psych.. signs of ptsd.. anxiety, poor appetite.. sleep disturbance,.. anger.. current obsession is to leave lebanon at any cost.. to ahmhammad.. he is dead here anyway.

us forces dropped over 2 mill tons of munitions over laos.. planes would drop loads before going back to base…. because dangerous to land w loaded planes..

redcross.. in loas.. 9-27 mill unexploded remain.. some 11 000 have been killed/injured since 73..

have been used in over 35 countries..

so far 119 states have joined treaty banning them..

but some of biggest producers of cluster munitions.. u.s., russia, china, .. remain outside this lifesaving treaty.. and continue to produce them.. and even possible use in near future..

used most recently in ongoing conflicts in yemen and syrian

financial institutions .. invested billions into co’s that make cluster munitions.. based in countries that haven’t signed treaty

on safe working in fields….cluster munitions often contaminate areas where ag is main income.. 98% killed/injured by cluster munitions are civilians.. 84% are males.. in countries when these people have no choice but to work.. they simply do it and risk it..

looking for a job.. not begging for money.. 21, illiterate.. voice message: my dream is to run.. and i’m pretty sure once i start running i would never stop..