While the world marks April 4th as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, this year’s observance holds a grim significance for Afghanistan. Just days ago, in the Koh-e-Safi district of Parwan province, a child’s laughter turned to cries of agony. A 12-year-old lay dead, another 13-year-old severely maimed – innocent victims of an old mine, a deadly reminder of past wars. This heart-wrenching scene echoes the tragedy that struck Ghazni province on March 31st, where an explosion instantly claimed the lives of nine children, five girls and four boys.
These incidents are far from isolated. Afghanistan remains one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world, its landscape scarred by decades of conflict. Thousands of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose a constant, invisible threat, endangering countless lives. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) warns of the ongoing danger. At the same time, Save the Children’s grim statistic highlights the devastating toll: approximately 60 individuals, many of them children, are killed or maimed by these hidden killers each month.
Mine Clearance Challenges in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s fight against landmines faces a critical obstacle: a severe lack of funding. This funding crisis, stemming from reduced international aid, has drastically declined the number of personnel dedicated to mine clearance. At its peak, these efforts employed 15,000 individuals. Today, that number has plummeted to a mere 3,000 – a devastating 80% cut, according to figures from Afghanistan’s mine clearance agency. This crippling reduction in resources severely hampers the country’s ability to address the extensive contamination.
Shahab Hakimi, head of Afghanistan’s mine clearance agency, paints a stark picture: “Two-thirds of our country’s districts remain contaminated with mines.” He highlights that the diminished capacity for mine clearance means a slower pace of operations, leaving countless communities at risk for more extended periods. The consequences of this underfunding are stark. Nick Pond, Chief of the Mine Action Program in Afghanistan, reports a devastating toll: “The Afghan people continue to be impacted by the explosive threat with children constituting the highest number of casualties – around 1500 casualties have been caused by Explosive Ordnance in the past two and half years, and 86% of those were children. 89% of those children were killed or injured by explosive remnants of war as opposed to mines.”
The Hidden Scars: Landmines and the Lives They Shatter
Statistics alone cannot convey the actual cost of Afghanistan’s landmine crisis. Behind each casualty lies a story of shattered lives and stolen futures. In Balkh province, Atifa’s voice trembles as she recounts the day a landmine killed her 12-year-old nephew during the Taliban’s first regime. He and his friends were on their way to school when the explosion shattered their lives. Now, some carry the invisible wounds of trauma, while others bear the physical scars – a constant reminder of that fateful day.
A similar tragedy echoes in Jowzjan province. A resident who wishes to remain anonymous describes the horrifying moment a colleague’s brother attempted to clear a mine and paid the ultimate price. He leaves behind a widow and three young children, who now face immense economic hardship alongside their devastating loss.
These are not isolated stories. They paint a heartbreaking picture of the enduring impact of landmines, highlighting the urgent need to protect Afghan children and families from these hidden killers.
Call for Accountability and Action
Laws of War Military experts stress the critical importance of all parties in Afghanistan respecting the laws of war and refraining from using landmines, especially those that target civilian areas. This is a fundamental principle for protecting innocent lives.
Taliban Responsibility The Taliban, as one of the parties involved in the conflict, have been accused of extensive mine-laying during their insurgency. Despite repeated requests for comment, they have not addressed these allegations. Accountability for past actions is crucial to prevent future harm.
Afghanistan: Children continue to be killed by landmines. Even decades after conflict, the hidden threat remains. #MineAwarenessDay
Global Responsibility The international community has a moral obligation to support Afghanistan in addressing its deadly legacy of landmines. Renewed funding and aid are urgently needed to boost mine clearance capacity and save lives. Investing in mine clearance is a humanitarian imperative and an essential step towards the country’s stability and development.
Awareness is Key. Educating Afghan communities about the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a vital part of prevention. Raising awareness can empower people to identify risks and take precautions, ultimately reducing the likelihood of future tragedies.
Ongoing Threat: Recent Casualties
The tragic incidents in Parwan and Ghazni provinces are not isolated cases. The Taliban government itself has acknowledged the alarming frequency of casualties due to unexploded ordnance. Nooruddin Rustam Khel, the head of mine clearance integration and coordination in the Ministry of Disasters of the Taliban government, reports disturbing figures: “From the beginning of 2024 until now, there have been 61 incidents in Afghanistan, resulting in 108 casualties. Of these, 71 people were injured, and 37 were declared martyrs.” He further noted that in 2023, there were 308 incidents recorded related to the explosion of unexploded ordnance, resulting in 555 casualties. Specifically, 137 men and 37 women were killed, and 311 men and 70 women sustained injuries. Additionally, he mentioned that in 2023, a total of 2,595 anti-personnel mines, 485 anti-vehicle mines, and over 70,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance were discovered and neutralized.
Conclusion
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is a stark reminder of the enduring threat landmines pose long after conflicts officially end. Afghanistan’s crisis, with its heartbreaking stories of lost lives and shattered futures, highlights the urgency of this global issue. While progress has been made, the fight against landmines in Afghanistan – and around the world – is far from over. It demands a sustained commitment to respecting the laws of war, increased funding for mine clearance, accountability for those who violate these laws, and continued efforts to educate vulnerable communities. Only through these concerted actions can we hope to create a future where children can play, farmers can work their fields, and communities can rebuild their lives without the constant fear of hidden killers.