Ya-Ching, Lin. 2001 ‘Recent Survey Measures Impact of Weapons on Health in Cambodia.’ WGWR Email Update. Phnom Penh: Working Group for Weapons Reduction (WGWR). 20 November

Relevant contents

Results of the first nationally representative study of the population and health of Cambodia show that weapons are one of the main causes of injury, death and disability.

According to the survey conducted by the Ministries of Health and Planning in 2000, guns are the fourth most common cause of accidental injuries and deaths, surpassing landmine incidents in frequency. The report revealed that while landmine accidents are concentrated in a few provinces in the Northwest and Southwest, gunshot injuries occur throughout the country with higher numbers in urban areas.

Following birth defects, illnesses and landmine accidents, guns are the most common cause of physical impairment in Cambodia. At the rates reported by the survey, over 19,000 men and women are currently disabled and 13 to 15 more are injured or killed each day as the result of gun injuries. Undoubtedly this places an added strain on already scarce health resources.