OCHA reports nearly 300 civilian deaths from landmines and explosives in Afghanistan in 6 months

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Afghanistan reports that 292 civilians were killed in the first six months of this year due to landmine and unexploded ordnance incidents.

The organization stated on Sunday, July 21, that 89% of the casualties from landmine and unexploded ordnance explosions in 2023 were children.

The report highlights that since 1989, 45,000 individuals have fallen victim to landmines and unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan.

According to OCHA, the current year has seen a reduction in funding for mine clearance programs and victim assistance, which threatens the lives of an additional 3.4 million people.

OCHA emphasized that nearly 300 people in Afghanistan have been victims of landmines and explosive materials from the beginning of the year until June.

Previously, OCHA noted that landmine and unexploded ordnance explosions were the second leading cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan. From January 2022 to February 2024, at least 1,401 individuals have been victims of these explosions in Afghanistan.

The organization’s statistics reveal that approximately 1.2 million square meters of Afghan land across 262 districts are contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance.

The ongoing crisis of landmines and unexploded ordnance continues to inflict severe harm, especially on children, across Afghanistan.

The significant reduction in funding for demining and victim assistance programs exacerbates the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for increased international support and resources to address this pressing humanitarian issue and protect vulnerable populations.

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