.jpg)
KABUL (SW): The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) revealed on Sunday that over 200 districts across the country are still littered with landmines and un-exploded explosive devices.
Mohammad Aslam Sias, deputy minister at the Office of State Minister for Disaster Management (OSMDM) told a moot in Kabul that exactly 259 districts comprising of some 2600 villages covering 729 sq. kilometers are littered with landmines and un-exploded explosive devices. He added that years of de-mining efforts have helped clear some 73 percent of territory from mines across Afghanistan but some 27 percent still remains to be cleared.
Quoting safe estimates, he said these un-cleared mines are claiming 142 lives on monthly basis. He underlined that the demining sector is faced with acute shortages of funds for the past many years. Sias highlighted the sacrifices of 88 demining workers who lost their lives and 129 others who got injured while clearing the mines in various parts of the country. More than 700 workers associated with demining activities were abducted but later released, he added.
In his message to the moot, Abdullah Abdullah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) urged the international community for help in this regard. He noted that the Afghan government has approved a 5-year plan that would help clear all parts of the country by the year 2023.
ENDS
