Afghanistan ranked 3rd globally for unexploded ordnance casualties: UNAMA

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Afghanistan ranks third in the world for casualties caused by blasts of unexploded ordnance, with remnants of past wars continuing to claim lives across the country.

In a post on its Facebook page, UNAMA called for increased financial support for non-governmental mine-clearance organisations, explaining these groups clear landmines and other unexploded munitions left behind by decades of conflict on a daily basis, while also raising public awareness of their dangers.

It said children were the most affected by unexploded ordnance, accounting for about 80 percent of all victims, often being injured or killed while playing with such devices.

The mission added that awareness-raising and timely action on the risks posed by unexploded ordnance could save many lives.

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