64 Incidents of Mines and Unexploded Materials in Afghanistan; Many Civilians Have Been Victims of Them
The Afghan International Human Rights Organization
2 October 2026
Afghanistan has been severely affected by widespread wars for several decades, and thousands of mines and unexploded explosive devices from these wars are still left in the ground. Every day, they put the lives of civilians at risk and cause deaths and injuries.
Mines and unexploded explosive devices are still a serious and hidden threat to civilians in Afghanistan, especially children.
UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said at a press briefing on Thursday that mines and unexploded explosive devices still pose a serious danger to civilians in Afghanistan, especially children.
According to him, the United Nations security and safety agency has recorded 64 incidents so far this year in eastern Afghanistan involving explosions of unexploded devices and ammunition left from the wars. These incidents have caused deaths and injuries to many civilians.
Civilian Casualties Among Children in Nangarhar
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), last Tuesday in Nangarhar province, an explosion of a remaining mortar shell killed three children and injured another child.
This incident once again shows that unexploded devices left from the wars still pose a direct threat to the lives of Afghan children and other civilians.
Funding Problems for Mine Clearance
According to the United Nations, the lack of funding has slowed the efforts of UN partner agencies and organizations in mine clearance, along with other humanitarian work.
Stéphane Dujarric said that the United Nations requested $1.7 billion this year for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, but so far only $537 million has been received, which is about 30 percent of the required budget.
This funding shortage comes at a time when mines and unexploded ammunition left from the wars still threaten people’s lives in Afghanistan, and continued efforts are needed for mine clearance and the protection of people.
Position of the Afghan International Human Rights Organization
The Afghan International Human Rights Organization expresses deep concern over the deaths and injuries of civilians, especially children, caused by mines and unexploded ammunition in Afghanistan.
Mines and unexploded ammunition left from the wars continue to take the lives of Afghan people even after the wars have ended and put the lives of civilians, including children, at serious risk.
We call on the United Nations and the international community not to reduce their support for mine-clearance programs in Afghanistan and to provide the necessary financial resources to clear mines and unexploded ammunition.
Afghan children must not become victims of mines and unexploded ammunition left from the wars. The lives of civilians must be protected, and mine-clearance work must not face difficulties because of a lack of funding.
