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Afghanistan’s contaminated land includes 262 districts, including areas close to educational institutions and water sources.
Unexploded ordnance threaten people’s physical and mental well-being, curtail land use and impede development. They are a particular threat to people dependent on agriculture-based livelihoods, such as farmers, shepherds and herders, and to refugees, vulnerable migrants and returnee populations.
People who survive encounters with explosives often face various life-changing challenges, such as loss of limbs, hearing impairments, shrapnel wounds, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. They require long-term medical care and rehabilitation, potentially leading to financial strain and reduced quality of life. All of this affects their well-being and ability to reintegrate into society. The ripple effects extend to families and communities.
A significant contributor to these incidents is the collection of scrap metal—a perilous yet common practice among Afghan families seeking an income. In the last two years, ERW accounted for 88 per cent of incidents. Families gather and sell metal from unexploded ordnance, but distinguishing between harmless scrap and live munitions can be dangerous, difficult and often fatal.
