The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, has stated that Afghanistan has the third-highest number of casualties from explosive ordnance in the world.
In a post on X today (Saturday, 4 April), the organization said that nearly 50 people lose their lives every month due to explosions in Afghanistan, most of them children.
Earlier, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights for Afghanistan, said that in 2025, landmine explosions caused 471 civilian casualties, including both deaths and injuries, 67 percent of whom were children.
Bennett said on Thursday (2 April) that nearly 24 percent of casualties from unexploded ordnance are children who become victims while playing. According to him, the remaining cases occur while collecting scrap metal, when children are trying to survive.
The UN human rights rapporteur has called for urgent investment by the international community to sustain demining operations in Afghanistan.
Richard Bennett also urged the international community to increase and maintain financial support for demining programs in the country. He added that everyone has a responsibility to ensure that no more children mistake landmines for toys.
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