Key Points:
- Deadly Legacy of War: Over 500 Afghan children were killed or injured in 2024 due to unexploded ordnance and landmines, according to UNICEF.
- UNICEF’s Lifesaving Efforts: About 3 million children and caregivers were trained to identify and avoid explosive devices last year.
- Hunger Crisis Worsens: The World Food Program (WFP) could assist only 7 million of the 14 million hungry people in Afghanistan due to funding shortages.
- Contaminated Land: More than 65 square kilometers in 26 provinces are polluted with improvised explosive devices, posing a severe risk to rural communities.
- Urgent Global Support Needed: Both demining and humanitarian aid efforts require increased international funding to save lives and support Afghan families during the harsh winter.
Kabul: Afghanistan continues to grapple with the deadly remnants of war and a worsening humanitarian crisis that threatens the lives of its most vulnerable population children. In 2024 alone, over 500 Afghan children were killed or severely injured by unexploded ordnance and war remnants, highlighting the devastating long-term impacts of decades of conflict, as reported by UNICEF.
A Deadly Legacy for Afghan Children
On January 5, UNICEF shared a heartbreaking image on social media, showing children being trained to recognize and avoid explosive devices. The organization revealed that it had educated approximately 3 million children and their caregivers in 2024 about the risks of unexploded ordnance. The training emphasized identifying explosives, avoiding contact, and reporting findings to authorities.
Despite these efforts, the risks remain severe. Landmines, often laid indiscriminately during the Taliban’s rule without proper mapping, continue to endanger rural communities, especially children who unknowingly wander into contaminated areas.
The Scope of Contamination
According to the HALO Trust, a demining organization, more than 65 square kilometers of land in 26 provinces are polluted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This has placed Afghanistan among the four most heavily landmine-contaminated countries globally.
HALO has deployed 2,235 personnel to tackle this enormous challenge, working tirelessly to clear the land and make it safe for local communities. However, the magnitude of the contamination calls for more robust international support, as both demining operations and awareness campaigns are crucial to preventing further casualties.
A Parallel Crisis: Hunger in Afghanistan
While landmines pose an immediate physical threat, hunger looms as another silent killer. The World Food Program (WFP) recently reported that it could assist only half of Afghanistan’s 14 million hungry people due to funding shortages.
Pauline Eloff, head of the WFP’s emergency department, described the dire situation in a social media post on January 2. “For every two families in need of food aid, we can help only one,” she wrote.
The harsh winter season has exacerbated the crisis, leaving many families in remote areas reliant on food aid for survival. Although the WFP has pre-positioned essential food supplies in some villages, millions still face an uncertain future.
Winter Survival at Risk
Without adequate food aid, surviving Afghanistan’s winter becomes almost impossible for many families. The WFP has urgently appealed to the international community to increase funding for humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan.
Call for Global Action
Afghanistan’s dual crises of unexploded ordnance and hunger underscore the urgent need for global intervention. Increased funding for demining efforts can save lives, while expanded food aid programs can help millions of families survive the winter.
As the world watches, the plight of Afghan children and communities serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of conflict and the critical role of international solidarity in alleviating human suffering.
