Most people are aware of the suffering and destruction experienced during war. But casualties caused after hostilities have ended are often forgotten.

Palestinian freelance photographer Laura Boushnak has spent the last two years highlighting how a multitude of cluster bombs left behind after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war have devastated whole families and neighbourhoods.

The 33-year-old, who was born in Kuwait but now lives in Beirut and Pristina, says of her project: “I started my work in south Lebanon because I was taken by the fact that cluster munitions, left behind after conflicts, kill and injure civilians who are already trying to rebuild their lives after war.

I also decided to focus on young victims to show the long-lasting human, social and economic impact of cluster munitions. Their use, which creates a vicious circle of impact on communities who face medical costs related to the incidents, are a heavy burden on poor families. Educational opportunities decrease, unemployment rises, as does psychological trauma and isolation for those who become victims, leading to increased poverty and risk-taking.”

Laura, who – before freelancing two years ago – worked with The Associated Press in Beirut and then the French News Agency, AFP, in Cyprus and Paris, continues: “Due to the sensitivity of the topic, I took my time working with the victims. I paid several visits to each of them over a period of two years. I wanted to capture their daily life and focus on the difficulties they go through, so it was important that they get used to my camera.”

Laura says her favourite image is the first in her gallery.

“It shows the prosthetic legs of Mohammed on the sofa of his home. The shot was taken two years after his injury. When he first entered the room, I was really glad to see him able to walk again. He sat in front of me, we chatted a bit. He wasn’t in the mood to be photographed so I respected his wish, put down my camera and continued talking with his sister. Then he excused himself and said, I want to go to my room, and that’s when he took off his legs.

For me this image is the most powerful in the whole series. It’s very simple, yet tells the whole story.”