Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s mine and UXO (unexploded ordnance) problem is the consequence of more than 23 years of war, the Soviet invasion (1979-1989), civil fighting (1989-2001) and the military operations against Al-Qaida and Taliban (October 2001-present). The continuous strife has left 2,500 communities, representing 1.3 billion square meters of land, UXO and mine affected. Additional concern is raised over the ongoing military opporations being conducting in Afghanistan since 11 September 2001. Aside from the booby traps and newly laid mines set by Taliban, Northern Alliance and Al-Qaeda fighters the United States bombing has caused additional threats. More than 1,200 cluster munitions have been dropped and although the United States military activly clears bombing sites not all ordnance can be accounted for.

In 2003 the ICRC documented 847 new UXO and landmine casualties. Of these at least 384 were children and 772 civilians. Landmine casualties continue in 2004 and 423 have already been recorded. Regrettably, United States soldiers are also not immune to mine hazards as there have been 23 such casualties during 2004.            

Humanitarian Demining Programs

Afghanistan’s Mine Action Program is one of the oldest and largest demining programs in the world. Established in 1989 the Mine Action Program has overseen the clearance of 298 million square meters of land and 538 million square meters of battlefield. In 2003 alone, approximately 30 million square meters of land were cleared. Despite these impressive efforts, mines still affect almost every province in Afghanistan and 872 million square meters of land still require clearance. With over one million mines still buried in agricultural fields, irrigation canals and grazing areas the threat of landmines is very real. 
If you'd like to learn more about the Marshall Legacy Institute's (the parent organization of CHAMPS) efforts in Afghanistan, click here.