More than 500 Afghan Children Killed or Injured by Explosive Remnants in 2024: UNICEF
KABUL-Over 500 Afghan children lost their lives or were gravely injured in 2024 due to explosions from unexploded ordnance and war remnants, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) revealed.
“In 2024, over 500 children were killed or gravely injured by unexploded ordnances or explosive remnants of war. UNICEF educated around 3 million children and caregivers on the risks of explosive ordnances last year, including how to identify, avoid, and report them,” UNICEF Afghanistan stated.
The explosive threats stem from decades of conflict, including the Taliban’s indiscriminate planting of landmines on roads and farmlands during the previous government. Without systematic mapping, these devices now pose a deadly hazard to local communities, especially children.
In parallel, Afghanistan is grappling with a worsening hunger crisis. According to the World Food Program (WFP), only seven million of the 14 million Afghans facing acute hunger are receiving aid due to funding shortages.
“For every two families needing food assistance, we can only help one,” WFP’s emergency head Pauline Eloff shared on X, urging the international community to act swiftly.
Both UNICEF and WFP emphasize that increased global support is critical—not only for demining operations but also to address the severe humanitarian challenges threatening millions in Afghanistan.
