From 19 May until 30th May the end conference on the international trial against cluster ammunition will take place in Dublin. War Child Holland is taking action to press the Dutch government to call for a ban on these kinds of weapons. Many of the victims of cluster ammo are children, therefore War Child strongly supports the Campaign to Stop Cluster Ammo

A strong Treaty to ban cluster ammo is needed, not just limiting the use to only certain types of weapoins, but a full ban on any kinds of cluster ammo. Only a strong ban can guarantee the safety of civilians in the future.

More than 98% of victims of cluster ammo are civilians. Cluster bombs spread explosives over a very large area. A lot of this ‘sub ammunition’ does not explode, and is left behind in large quantities, This endangers the lives of anybody living in the area. These weapons kill and maim people who are trying to rebuild their lives after a conflict. By the constant threat of explosives, people are unable to use the land for agriculture, and thereby remain in the vicious circle of hunger and poverty.

Horrifyingly, the small size of the sub ammunition makes them very interesting for children to play with - this happens a lot; many victims of cluster bombs are children. An international treaty should support just these people and prevent that any cluster ammunition will be used in the future again.