Kabul, July 1 (IANS) As many as 50 people are killed or injured each month in Afghanistan due to unexploded ordnance left behind after decades of conflict, with children being nearly 80 per cent of the victims, local media reported on Wednesday citing the United Nations (UN) data.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) urged that people of Afghanistan should be able to live safely without the threat posed by unexploded ordnance left behind after war, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. It further stated that reduced international funding has reduced mine clearance operations in Afghanistan.
Demining and explosive ordnance disposal programmes is one of the most effective life-saving humanitarian activities in Afghanistan, according to the OCHA. However, the declining international funding have reduced their capacity at a time when contamination continues to endanger civilians.
About 3.3 million people in Afghanistan live near areas which are contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance, resulting in residents being exposed to daily risks while limiting access to farmland, schools, roads and other essential services, Khaama Press reported.
Afghanistan is one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world with unexploded devices left over from over 40 years of armed conflict involving former Soviet occupation, civil war, international military operations and continued fighting that often target people, including children. Humanitarian agencies have stated that continued financial support is important for carrying out mine-clearance operations and preventing further civilian casualties.
On June 13, a child was killed and six others were injured after two unexploded device left over from the wars went off in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, according to the statement released by provincial director for information and culture Mullah Abdul Bari Rashid, Xinhua News Agency reported.
In Sangin district, three children found a toy-like object and started playing with, however, the device exploded, killing a child on the spot and injuring two others, according to the statement. Four children were injured in the second incident also took place in the same district on the same day, the official said without providing more details.
–IANS
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