Ouarda Merrouche
Landmines and Poverty: IV Evidence from Mozambique
international campaign ban landmines production use estimates 80 billion landmines ground 80 countries despite scale problem large investments oecd countries clear mines low income countries economic consequences landmine contamination far unexamined economists working economics wars perhaps due lack data thus far paper exploits unique dataset landmine contamination intensity covering 126 mozambican districts landmines unlike weapons used weapon choice protect territories empirical strategy uses indicator distance strategic borders instrumental variable correct selection landmine placement instrumental variables estimates indicate large effect landmine contamination poverty consumption several years ceasefire hence despite high cost clear mine conservative costbenefit evaluation national demining program indicates program generates large positive return