UN: Over 500 deaths in Afghanistan in last year, children primary victims of landmines
According to UNAMA report, over 500 people, including 434 children, have died from landmine explosions in Afghanistan in last year.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Friday, April 4, has highlighted that Afghanistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to landmines and unexploded ordnance. In a statement marking International Mine Awareness Day, UNAMA emphasized that most casualties from landmines and unexploded ordnance are children.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), at least 564 people, including 434 children, have been killed or injured in Afghanistan in last year due to landmine and ordnance explosions. The continuing threat remains a significant challenge for the country’s safety and recovery.
UNAMA stressed that decades of conflict in Afghanistan have led to thousands of casualties, including deaths and amputations. The mission called for increased international support to ensure a safer future for Afghan citizens, particularly in terms of mine clearance and victim assistance.
Mine clearance efforts are described as perilous, labor-intensive, and costly. UNAMA also emphasized the critical need for preventive education to reduce incidents, alongside empowering victims of landmine explosions and those with disabilities.
Raising awareness about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance is seen as an essential strategy to save lives and build a more secure future. UNAMA urges global support to help Afghanistan overcome this ongoing crisis.
The Red Cross also noted that 251 mine-related incidents were reported in the previous year, with the actual number of casualties likely higher. This underlines the scale of the problem and the urgent need for comprehensive action.
Afghanistan remains heavily affected by the legacy of conflict, with widespread mine contamination preventing the return of displaced people and the rebuilding of communities. International assistance and coordinated efforts are essential for clearing these dangers and improving the lives of affected people.
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