UNICEF Afghanistan tweeted that "more than 700 children were killed or maimed" because of unexploded ordnance and other "war remnants" in 2022.
According to UNICEF Afghanistan's Twitter account, this number means an average of two children every day.
“Last week, 8 children lost their lives due to unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan,” UNICEF Afghanistan said. “They lost their lives playing with unexploded ordnance and collecting metal scraps to sell.”
No details were provided in the tweets about the recent deaths.
The Directorate of Mine Action Coordination said that it has cleared more than 100,000 square meters of land in Afghanistan.
“We have more than 60 awareness teams in Afghanistan. The video clips about public awareness have been made and the teams are going to the rural areas and villages to increase people’s awareness,” said Qari Nooruddin Rustam Khail, head of the directorate.
Residents of Kabul expressed concerns, saying that children collect metals to sell because of poverty.
The residents said their lack of awareness about ordnance caused them harm.
“Due to poverty and unemployment, they (children) are forced to go to the mountains, collect sticks or coal for food. They are being martyred in these mines that are planted from the previous years,” said Rokai, a resident of Kabul.
“The unexploded mines are more in provinces than in cities. The awareness of the people is less in rural areas compared to the city,” said Shoib, a resident of Kabul.
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