Afghanistan remains among most landmine-contaminated countries, ICRC warns

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most heavily contaminated countries with landmines and unexploded ordnance, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has said. In a statement on X, the organization highlighted its efforts to educate communities about the risks posed by these explosives.

According to the Halo Trust, a leading demining organization, landmine contamination in Afghanistan increased to more than 65 square kilometers as of November 2024, up from 53 square kilometers at the end of 2022. The contamination has been identified in 26 provinces.

Afghanistan is among four countries with the highest levels of landmine contamination worldwide, with 60 countries facing similar hazards.

The International Campaign to Ban Landmines reported 651 casualties in Afghanistan in 2023 due to landmines and unexploded ordnance. Children have been disproportionately affected, accounting for 86% of the 1,401 casualties recorded between January 2022 and February 2024.