RASC News Agency: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that 455 individuals were killed or injured in Afghanistan during 2024 as a result of incidents involving explosive hazards. The organization reported that a significant portion of these casualties were children and adolescents. In a statement issued today Tuesday, Dec 31, the ICRC disclosed that 359 of the victims were children, underscoring the devastating impact of explosive remnants on the nation’s most vulnerable.
The statement further detailed that 234 explosive-related incidents were documented across Afghanistan in 2024, highlighting the country’s continued struggle with the deadly remnants of decades-long conflict. Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most heavily affected nations by explosive hazards. Large tracts of its land are contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance a lingering consequence of prolonged warfare. According to the ICRC, approximately three million Afghanistanis live within a one-kilometer radius of such perilous areas. In 2024, the ICRC, in collaboration with the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society, launched extensive awareness campaigns, reaching over 240,000 people across the country to educate them on the dangers of explosive remnants of war.
The statement also shed light on the broader crises faced by Afghanistani communities in 2024, marked by severe economic challenges, natural disasters, and the enduring aftermath of decades of armed conflict. Moreover, the ICRC highlighted that international sanctions and a sharp decline in foreign aid have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, further deepening the plight of millions. As per reports from humanitarian agencies, a significant portion of the Afghanistani population continues to grapple with poverty, food insecurity, and restricted access to essential services, including healthcare. This dire situation underscores the urgent need for sustained international support to alleviate the country’s worsening humanitarian conditions.