The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has issued a warning, stating that Afghanistan requires $21.9mn in funding this year to support mine clearance operations and explosive hazard risk education. Afghanistan remains one of the most heavily landmine-contaminated countries in the world, posing ongoing risks to its civilian population.
OCHA’s statement on February 2 highlighted that 3.3mn Afghans live within one kilometer of areas contaminated by landmines, putting them in constant danger.
The report reveals that, on average, 55 civilians are killed or injured each month by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). Alarmingly, children make up 80% of the casualties.
This urgent call for funding comes at a time when U.S. financial aid to Afghanistan remains suspended, leading to the suspension of crucial humanitarian work.
Among those affected is the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), a prominent organization involved in demining efforts, which recently announced it had to cease its operations in Afghanistan due to the lack of funding.
With the humanitarian situation worsening and the risk of explosive hazards continuing to threaten Afghan civilians, aid organizations are appealing to international donors to fill the funding gap. These efforts are vital in reducing civilian casualties and safeguarding vulnerable children from the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance.
Earlier, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that cuts to international aid and a freeze in U.S. foreign funding are leaving millions of Afghans facing hunger this winter. The WFP is currently able to support only half of the 15mn Afghans in urgent need of food assistance. Afghanistan’s economic crisis worsened after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, halting international development and security aid.
Humanitarian aid through NGOs has been crucial, but international support is dwindling due to concerns over Taliban restrictions on women and competing global crises. Afghanistan’s 2024 humanitarian plan is only half-funded, and further reductions in aid are feared, especially following the U.S.’s pause on new aid.
