Ariel BenYishay, AidData's Chief Economist and Director of Research and Evaluation, gave a presentation on at the World Bank Land Conference 2024, sharing insights from AidData's research into post-conflict landmine clearance and economic development in Afghanistan.

The widespread prevalence of unexploded landmines in many countries causes thousands of deaths and injuries annually and prevents productive land use of contaminated areas. AidData researchers studied the clearance of more than 15,000 hazardous areas in Afghanistan carried out since 1992. The clearance of hazardous areas led to changes in land use observed in satellite imagery, reductions in conflict risks, and increases in economic activity reflected in nighttime lights data. Precise clearance data and satellite imagery allowed the research team to observe and identify shifts occurring even in the small towns and villages that comprise most of the study sample.

For more, read the paper or get key insights from our blog.