European Union: Explosive Ordnance Remains a Deadly Threat to the People of Afghanistan
The humanitarian aid department of the European Union for Asia and the Pacific has warned that explosive remnants of war continue to pose a hidden and deadly threat to civilians in Afghanistan, particularly in rural areas and agricultural lands.
Isteqamat Press – the organization announced today, Tuesday, February 17, on X that it supports demining programs and the clearance of contaminated land across Afghanistan.
The European Union emphasized that Afghanistan is one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world with landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW). These hazardous materials are scattered without precise documentation across mountains, plains, and farmlands.
The source stated that since 2010, more than 45,000 civilians have been killed or injured by explosions caused by such ordnance, with children comprising the majority of the victims.
Two weeks ago, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) ranked Afghanistan as the third country in the world in terms of casualties from explosive remnants of war, noting that children account for approximately 80 percent of the victims.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Authority under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that in 2025, 193 explosion incidents occurred across the country, resulting in 87 deaths and 333 injuries. Children made up 67.5 percent of the casualties.
Decades of conflict have made Afghanistan one of the most dangerous countries in the world in terms of explosive hazards, and comprehensive clearance efforts require sustained international support.
