RASC News Agency: The recent claim made by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) highlights the significant progress achieved by humanitarian organizations in Afghanistan over the past 35 years. According to OCHA, these organizations have successfully neutralized a staggering 800,000 mines in the country. This statistic was published on November 21st on X’s social media page, with a recognition that there are still scattered unexploded ordnance throughout Afghanistan. In addition to the mines, OCHA also reported that humanitarian organizations have successfully neutralized over 13 million explosive remnants, including 764,000 anti-personnel mines and 33,460 car mines, within the same 35-year period. These numbers demonstrate the relentless efforts of these organizations in ensuring the safety and well-being of the Afghanistan population.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that despite these achievements, the presence of unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan still poses significant hazards. The International Committee of the Red Crescent Society and the United Nations have previously issued warnings about the danger of these remnants, which continue to claim numerous lives every year. The United Nations Mine Action Service has also reported that since 1989, approximately 56,923 civilians have been killed or injured due to mine explosions and explosive remnants of war in Afghanistan.
Although Afghanistan is recognized as one of the most heavily contaminated countries with mines and explosive ordnance, OCHA revealed a concerning decrease in the number of demining workers in the country, which has dropped from 15,000 to 3,000 individuals. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced in addressing the issue of unexploded ordnance. The daily reports of explosions caused by leftover ammunition from the war further emphasize the urgent need for continued efforts to ensure the safety and security of the Afghanistan population. Afghanistan’s history of successive wars has left behind an alarming amount of explosive ammunition, underscoring the critical importance of ongoing demining efforts.
