Afghanistan face landmine threat, HALO urges support

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Hazardous Area Life-support Organisation (HALO Trust) has highlighted that Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most landmine-contaminated countries, with 6.4 million people currently at risk from explosives.

In a post on X, the HALO Trust stated: “Afghanistan is one of the world’s most landmine-contaminated countries, with 6.4 million Afghans currently at risk from explosives.”

Dr. Farid Homayoun, HALO’s programme manager for Afghanistan, urged the international community to continue its support, warning that the issue risks becoming “a forgotten humanitarian problem.”

Since 1988, HALO has cleared over 1,400 square kilometers of land, returning it safely to communities. Their work, which includes clearance, risk education, and other activities, has benefited more than 17 million people.

The Organisation says that every month, around 50 people in Afghanistan are killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance, with 80 percent of the victims being children.

hz/sa