Kabul: Nearly one in five Afghans remains under threat from landmines and other explosive remnants of war, according to a new report released by The HALO Trust, an international mine clearance organization. The report estimates that around 6.5 million people across Afghanistan are at risk — with children accounting for approximately 80% of those affected.
Afghanistan ranks as the second most contaminated country in the world after Ukraine when it comes to landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The HALO Trust warns that nearly 20% of Afghanistan’s population is living in areas threatened by these deadly remnants. According to Aimal Safi, technical advisor at the Directorate for Mine Action Coordination under the Taliban-run National Disaster Management Authority, every province in the country is affected.
“Almost all of the 34 provinces — covering over 260 districts and more than 1,600 villages — have mine contamination problems. Currently, around 1,129 kilometers of land remain polluted,” Safi stated.
The organization says that on average, 40 children are killed or injured each month due to explosions caused by these devices.
Mohammad Nasir Haidari, an expert from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) specializing in explosive ordnance disposal, said many contaminated areas were once active military zones. “Now, as the intensity of conflict has reduced, displaced residents are returning to their communities — only to face the deadly threat of unexploded ordnance,” he said. He also emphasized that a lack of public awareness remains a major challenge.
The Directorate for Mine Action Coordination says it is working with international partners to secure funding for the implementation of a five-year demining strategy. The HALO Trust, which has been engaged in mine clearance operations in Afghanistan for decades, notes that the sharp decline in international aid has had a significant impact on demining efforts.
Due to reduced funding, the organization has had to cut its staff from 2,200 to 1,000 in recent months. The HALO Trust has warned that without renewed international support, further reductions in workforce and operations are likely.
Afghanistan, with nearly five decades of continuous conflict, has suffered tens of thousands of casualties from landmines and explosive devices — many of which were deployed by various warring parties. The majority of victims, however, continue to be civilians.
