Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, the number of children killed in Afghanistan by landmines has significantly increased, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In just the first half of this year, landmine explosions have claimed the lives of over 292 individuals, according to the OCHA report.
According to the survey, children in Afghanistan account for 88% of those impacted by explosive dangers, with 50% of events happening while the kids were playing. Nowadays, landmine incidents rank as the nation’s second most common cause of civilian fatalities.
Over 1,500 people were killed by landmines between January 2022 and February 2024, with 86% of the victims being minors.Approximately 300 individuals have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive ordnance since the start of 2024, according to the Directorate of Mine Action Coordination.
Concerned for the safety of their children, locals in the impacted districts have urged the Taliban to remove landmines from these places. One victim, Arman, remembered being hurt when his leg and eye were burned by an explosion from a piece of paper he and others were burning.
