The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, (OCHA) said Monday that Afghanistan has one of the highest levels of explosive ammunition contamination in the world.
According to OCHA, after several decades of war, the country has serious challenges in terms of removing explosive ammunition and mines.
“In 2023, some $18.3 million is needed for survey, explosive ordnance disposal, landmine clearance, risk education & survivor support to assist 1.4 million of the 4.9 million people in need,” OCHA said in a tweet.
Earlier, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed concern about the increase in casualties caused by unexploded materials left over from the war and mines in Afghanistan.
The reality of mines and various types of unexploded materials is the biggest threat to the citizens of Afghanistan, mainly in the villages of this country, said ICRC.
OCHA started a demining program in Afghanistan after 2002 and had hoped to deliver a country free of mines and unexploded ordnance by 2010, but this did not happen in light of the continued conflict.
