KABUL (SW) – Vast swathes of land and large numbers of critical infrastructure (including schools) across Afghanistan are contaminated with deadly mines and unexploded devices, warned the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
It said in a statement that Afghanistan is one of the world’s most heavily contaminated countries with two thirds of its 401 districts are contaminated with explosive hazards; 3 million people live within a 1km radius of mines, improvised explosive devices and explosive remnants of war; and more than 60 people – mostly children – are killed and maimed every month.
It said they also pose mental and psychological risks arising from fear, and they limit safe access to livelihoods and income that aggravate families’ distress. Households dependent on agriculture-based livelihoods, including farmers, shepherds and herders, are particularly at risk of the threat posed by explosive hazards. Returnee populations are also vulnerable, as they lack knowledge of the areas they are returning to, it noted. As poverty levels deepen in Afghanistan, more children and adults are being driven to gather live artillery shells and mortar bombs to harvest metal to earn a living and are being exposed with tragic consequences.
OCHA has warned that it no longer have the resources needed to stem the problem. Currently, mine action is among the severely underfunded sectors in Afghanistan, with an estimated two-thirds funding shortfall for the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, despite enjoying a wealth of experience that can be harnessed. In the last two years, funding for mine action has halved, leading to a drastic 40 per cent reduction in the demining workforce. The number of mining personnel has been as large as 15,000; today, it is closer to 3,000.
Nuruddin Rustamkhel, the head of mine clearance coordination of the Ministry of Disasters Management, says that 22 teams have recently moved to the borders to inform the returnees about the threats of the mines
He adds: “From the beginning of 2023 until now, we have had 250 incidents as a result of the explosion of remaining mines in Afghanistan; 441 killed and wounded. Our teams have been appointed for advertising at the borders, seven teams have been appointed in Torkham, five teams in Spin Boldek, four teams in Herat and six teams in Nimroz. We are trying to increase the number of teams.”
Mohammad Aziz, a resident of Ghor and one of the victims of the explosion of landmines left over from the war, and Nur Ahmad, one of the relatives of one of the victims of the explosion of landmines left over from the war in Ghazni, demand serious attention from the government in the field of demining and help with the victims.
Mohammad Aziz says: “I went after the herd of sheeps, I didn’t realize there was a mine under the ground. When I got stuck on my foot, it lifted me up. I fainted and when I regained consciousness, I was in the hospital. They said you lost your legs. I also go to school, it’s two hours away, I get very tired.”
Noor Ahmad also says: “A few nights ago, there was an accident in Nani district of Andar district, a child was killed and several people were injured. One of the wounded, who was a woman, was in a very bad condition.”
Ocha warns about the vulnerability of Afghan returnees in this regard.
ENDS
