Unexploded Mines from the 1970s Present A Daily Threat To Afghan Children

Photo-AFP

In Ghazni province, Afghanistan, a black mushroom cloud had barely dissipated before children gathered around the edge of a newly formed crater, the result of an exploded mine. This mine is one of the many devices that kill a child every other day in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban ended their insurgency and ousted the Western-backed government in 2021, Afghans have returned to their fields, schools, and roads. However, with this newfound freedom of movement comes the persistent danger of unexploded ordnance left from 40 years of ongoing conflict.

Nearly 900 people, mostly children, were killed or injured by leftover munitions from January 2023 to April 2024, according to United Nations figures. One such anti-tank mine had been situated just 100 meters from Qach Qala village, south of the provincial capital Ghazni, since the Soviet invasion from 1979 to 1989. Deminers from the British organization Halo Trust carefully unearthed and detonated it, the explosion resounding nearly two miles away. Yet, before the mine was detonated, a Taliban member approached the deminers on his motorcycle, demanding possession of the mine to keep it "safe" at home for potential future use. He argued that the mine could not be very dangerous since it had not exploded in all these years. However, the deminers insisted on proceeding with the controlled detonation.

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Nick Pond, head of the Mine Action Section of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), emphasized that the Taliban government is highly supportive of demining efforts and aims to clear as many areas as possible. Demining efforts in Afghanistan began as early as 1988, but the country has been continually re-infested with mines and ordnance over decades of war. Predicting the current scale of contamination is nearly impossible, according to Pond.

From January 2023 onwards, children have been the primary victims of these explosive remnants, accounting for 82% of the casualties. Tragically, many of these incidents involve children playing. In the village of Nokordak, nestled in a picturesque valley, two children were killed in late April by unexploded ordnance. Shawoo, a mother, recounted how her 14-year-old son Javid died after striking an explosive device with a stone. The device exploded on the third strike, killing Javid and his friend Sakhi Dad, also 14, almost instantly. Mohammad Zakir, Sakhi Dad's 18-year-old brother, expressed his sorrow and bewilderment, noting that no one had warned the village about the dangers of unexploded ordnance.

In the village of Patanaye, 13-year-old Sayed showed his bandaged hand and foot, injuries sustained from an explosion that killed his 11-year-old brother Taha while they were tending their sheep. Sayed recounted how he had tried to stop Taha from handling the device, but his brother struck it against a rock, causing it to explode. These tragic accidents are all too common, lamented their father, Siraj Ahmad, who fears for the safety of other children in the community.

A significant challenge to demining efforts is the lack of funds. Zabto Mayar, Halo's explosive ordnance disposal officer, highlighted this issue, explaining that deminers work meticulously plot by plot, relying on donations. The mine action workforce, once 15,500 strong in 2011, has dwindled to around 3,000 due to funding cuts. Other global conflicts have diverted resources, and the Taliban takeover has led to a reduction in donor support, as the Taliban government remains unrecognized internationally.

Despite these challenges, local leaders and educators remain hopeful. Mohammad Hassan, the headmaster of a small school in Deh Qazi hamlet, relies on the deminers to make the schoolyard safe for children. The presence of mines prevents basic activities like planting trees, as digging or using machinery could trigger an explosion. In a classroom, children learn about the dangers of unexploded ordnance, with walls adorned with charts depicting various types of mines and munitions.

Children often mistake mines and ordnance for playthings. Soviet-era butterfly mines (PFM-1), for instance, have a winged shape that appeals to children. The bright, attractive colors of munitions also entice children, some of whom mistake golden-topped ammunition for precious metal, hitting it with stones or hammers in an attempt to collect scrap to sell. Pond warned that such behavior can have deadly consequences.

The danger of unexploded ordnance extends to deminers as well. Halo lost two deminers in early May, underscoring the perilous nature of their work. Zabto Mayar shared the emotional toll, describing how he sometimes calls his family to express his love before heading out to defuse mines, in case anything happens to him.

The plight of Afghan children and communities living amidst unexploded mines is dire. As they navigate their daily lives, they face the constant threat of these deadly remnants of war. While efforts to clear mines continue, the lack of funding and the sheer scale of contamination pose significant challenges. The international community's support and recognition are crucial to enhancing demining efforts and ensuring the safety and future of Afghanistan's next generation.

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