Unexploded Mine Casualties Rise in Afghanistan, Children Make Up Majority of Victims
The United Nations Mine Clearance Section in Afghanistan has reported that over the past year, at least 92 people have died and 379 others have been injured due to explosions of mines and unexploded ordnance. This alarming statistic emerges amid ongoing threats posed by leftover explosive remnants of war to the daily lives of citizens.
Nik Pound, head of the section, told The Telegraph that nearly two-thirds of the victims are children, a disturbing reality that highlights the extreme vulnerability of children living in contaminated areas and indicates insufficient preventive measures have been implemented.
According to UN data, more than 1,000 square kilometers of Afghan land remains contaminated with mines and unexploded munitions, with millions of residents living in areas where these explosives lie buried underground. This situation continuously endangers access to agricultural land, transportation routes, and residential zones.
Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that Afghanistan ranks third globally in casualties caused by explosive remnants of war. The ongoing crisis raises serious questions regarding the effectiveness of mine clearance programs and the Taliban administration’s responsibility in protecting civilians, especially children.
