RASC News Agency: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that at least 55 civilians are killed or injured every month in Afghanistan due to landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). The UN’s latest assessment, published on Sunday, February 2, underscores the urgent need for $21.9 million in funding for 2025 to support mine clearance operations and public awareness initiatives aimed at mitigating the devastating impact of explosive hazards across the country. According to the report, children account for 80% of all mine-related casualties, with many falling victim while playing in contaminated areas or unknowingly handling explosive remnants of war. Additionally, more than 3.3 million Afghanistanis are living within a one-kilometer radius of high-risk zones, facing persistent threats from landmines and other explosive devices.
Afghanistan remains one of the most heavily mine-contaminated nations in the world, with decades of conflict leaving behind a lethal legacy. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has repeatedly issued grave warnings regarding the escalating threat posed by landmines, stressing that these hidden killers disproportionately affect children and rural communities. A previous UN report revealed that in the first half of the past year, at least 292 civilians were killed or maimed in mine explosions across Afghanistan.
The majority of these explosive remnants stem from the Soviet invasion, the Mujahideen resistance, and the Taliban’s prolonged insurgency against the former Afghanistan government. Despite the official cessation of large-scale hostilities, these deadly remnants of war continue to exact a heavy toll on Afghanistani civilians, reinforcing the urgent need for enhanced demining efforts and expanded educational campaigns to prevent further tragedies.
