UN Says Afghanistan Among Deadliest Countries for Landmine Casualties
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Afghanistan ranks third globally for casualties caused by landmines and unexploded war remnants.
UNAMA stated on Tuesday, February 3 that children account for nearly 80 percent of victims, often injured or killed while playing or unknowingly handling unexploded ordnance.
The mission called for increased financial support to demining organizations working to clear mines and educate communities about explosive risks across the country.
According to UNAMA, clearance teams operate daily to remove explosive remnants while awareness campaigns aim to reduce civilian exposure to deadly materials.
The UN mission urges citizens not to touch suspicious objects and instead report them immediately to authorities to prevent further casualties.
The HALO Trust previously estimated around 50 people are killed or injured each month in Afghanistan by mines and explosive remnants, while 6.4 million people remain at risk nationwide.
UN figures also show that about 3.3 million Afghans live within one kilometer of areas contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance, underscoring the urgent need for clearance efforts.
Decades of conflict have left large parts of Afghanistan contaminated with landmines and unexploded munitions, continuing to threaten civilian lives long after fighting has subsided.
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