Afghanistan among nine most mine infested countries, with 6.4 mn people at risk
Kabul, June 11 (UNI) The HALO (Hazardous Area Life-support Organisation) Trust – one of the prime global NGOs for the dismantling of mines and other explosive objects, has said that Afghanistan is among the nine most mine filled countries in the world.
It stated that over 6.4 million people are at risk every day of unexploded ordinance, with children accounting for 80% of blast fatalities and injuries.
The official report on its website reads: 'HALO, the world's largest landmine charity, estimates that around 40 children are killed or severely injured every month while scavenging for scrap metal to sell to support their families. The charity fears that the real figures are likely to be much higher.
'Afghanistan remains one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world – surpassed only by Ukraine. An area larger than the city of San Francisco is thought to be littered with unexploded ordnance.'
Dr Farid Homayoun, HALO Afghanistan Programme Manager, said: "Afghanistan is now a forgotten humanitarian problem. The Afghan people have struggled for over four decades of conflict, displacement, poverty, and we need the international community to continue to support people to the end of this journey and not leave them stranded halfway through."
Its findings reported that this contamination potentially impacts approximately 20% of the population, including 100,000s of Afghan refugees, who have been forcibly deported from Pakistan and Iran in recent months with no resources at their disposal.
So far, HALO Trust reports that 1,400 square km of contaminated land have been cleared, benefitting over 17 million people across the country. These efforts have made many once-dangerous areas habitable and safe for farming, education, and development.
Despite progress, explosive remnants from decades of war continue to claim lives in various provinces. UNI ANV SSP
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