Afghan Children Continue to Suffer from Unexploded Landmines

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stated that children in Afghanistan continue to pay a heavy price due to landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from years of war. The organization released a video showing a child who lost a leg as a result of a landmine explosion to highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

According to the Red Cross, the majority of victims of landmine and unexploded ordnance blasts since the war are children—those who unknowingly encounter these explosives while playing or working in contaminated areas. This situation has brought numerous families face-to-face with physical, psychological, and economic consequences.

Earlier, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that an average of about 50 children lose their lives every month due to landmine explosions. This statistic underscores that the threat of unexploded ordnance remains one of the most serious dangers for civilians, especially children.

Based on Red Cross data, at least 217 mine explosion incidents were recorded in Afghanistan in 2025, resulting in 467 people killed or injured. These figures reflect only part of the problem, as many contaminated areas have yet to be fully surveyed and cleared.

Afghanistan is among the countries where decades of conflict have left extensive regions contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to strengthen the clearance of contaminated areas and public awareness programs in coordination with international organizations—a vital step to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents.