Explosive Ordnance a Daily Menace for Afghanistan’s Children
CISR
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(Central News) After the Taliban's takeover, Afghans regained access to fields and roads, but danger remains from decades of leftover munitions. Nearly 900 people, mostly children, were harmed by these devices from January 2023 to April 2024. Deminers from The HALO Trust work meticulously to clear these hazards. A Taliban member once demanded an anti-tank mine for future use, highlighting ongoing tensions.
Despite the Taliban government's support for demining, funding shortfalls hinder progress. Children often mistake mines for toys, leading to tragic accidents. The Soviet-era butterfly mine, for example, is particularly alluring. Despite the risks, deminers persist, though Afghanistan's contamination scale remains uncertain, with children making up 82% of recent casualties.
