In 2024, Over Than 500 Children in Afghanistan Have Fallen Victim to Remnants of Explosive Materials

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reported that during 2024, over 500 children in Afghanistan were harmed by incidents caused by explosions of leftover war munitions from past years.

According to UNICEF, last year the organization trained approximately three million children and their caregivers on the dangers of explosive ordnance. This educational program included instructions on how to identify, avoid, and report the presence of hazardous materials and objects, implemented as part of a program to protect vulnerable populations.

However, UNICEF stated that despite these efforts, mine clearance operations in Afghanistan face significant challenges due to a lack of funding. The UN mine action program had previously warned about insufficient financial resources, stating that this could endanger the lives of nearly 3.5 million people, especially children.

A United Nations report reveals that around three million people in Afghanistan live within one kilometer of landmines, improvised explosive devices, and remnants of explosive materials from previous wars.

In response, UNICEF and other international organizations have called for sustainable funding and financial resources to support mine clearance and community education programs. These efforts aim to reduce human casualties and create a safer environment for vulnerable citizens.

While the UN mine action program has announced that it has neutralized and destroyed over 14 million unexploded ordnance items and cleared 70% of mine-contaminated areas in Afghanistan since its inception, the issue remains one of the most significant threats to the Afghan population, particularly children. Each year, many children lose their lives or suffer permanent disabilities due to these explosions.