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How Peace Saves Lives: Evidence from Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Sergio Perilla

    (Department of Economics, Universidad del Rosario)

  • Mounu Prem

    (Einaudi Institute for Economics and Finance)

  • Miguel E. Purroy

    (Harvard Kennedy School)

  • Juan F. Vargas

    (Department of Economics, Universidad del Rosario)

Abstract

The victimization of civilians and combatants during internal conflicts causes large socioeconomic costs. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether peace negotiations can significantly reduce this burden. One key reason is the lingering presence of antipersonnel landmines, which are hidden underground and remain active for decades. Looking at the recent experience of Colombia, we quantify the number of lives saved by the reduction of landmine accidents and study the institutional conditions under which peace agreements can significantly reduce landmine victimization. Our findings highlight the importance of: reduced counterinsurgency campaigns, post-conflict information sharing, comprehensive humanitarian mine clearance and mine risk management campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergio Perilla & Mounu Prem & Miguel E. Purroy & Juan F. Vargas, 2022. "How Peace Saves Lives: Evidence from Colombia," HiCN Working Papers 380, Households in Conflict Network.
    • Handle: RePEc:hic:wpaper:380
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    Cited by:

    1. Perilla, Sergio & Prem, Mounu & Purroy, Miguel E. & Vargas, Juan F., 2024. "How peace saves lives: Evidence from Colombia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    2. Mounu Prem & Miguel Purroy & Juan F. Vargas, 2021. "Landmines: The local effects of demining," Documentos de Trabajo 19733, The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).
    3. Bernal, Carolina & Prem, Mounu & Vargas, Juan F. & Ortiz, Mónica, 2024. "Peaceful entry: Entrepreneurship dynamics during Colombia’s peace agreement," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    4. Mora-Garcia, Claudio A & Prem, Mounu & Rodriguez-Lesmes, Paul & Vargas, Juan F., 2024. "Health Workforce Reallocation in the Aftermath of Conflict: Evidence from Colombia," Documentos de Trabajo 21124, Universidad del Rosario.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    landmine accidents; landmine victimization; conflict; peace agreement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D74 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Conflict; Conflict Resolution; Alliances; Revolutions
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

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