UN says unexploded ordnance remains a serious threat in Kunduz

According to the United Nations, 64 incidents linked to explosive remnants of war and unexploded ordnance have been recorded in eastern Afghanistan since the start of this year. As a result of these incidents, 64 civilians have been killed or injured.

The United Nations Development Programme says efforts to clear explosive materials and raise awareness about the dangers of mines and unexploded ordnance in Kunduz are continuing. Turhan Salih, a representative of the programme, said on Sunday, 12 Mizan, that unexploded ordnance remains a serious problem in the province and that more steps are needed to clear it.

According to Salih, the programme clears contaminated areas and informs people about the risks in order to create conditions for living and working in a safer environment. The project is being implemented in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Human Settlements Programme, and with support from the UN Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan. The UN says Afghanistan is among the countries with the highest casualties caused by unexploded ordnance.