11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Landmines and unexploded ordnance caused deaths and injuries, restricted areas available for cultivation, and impeded the return of refugees ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23801]

"Landmines and unexploded ordnance caused deaths and injuries, restricted areas available for cultivation, and impeded the return of refugees to mine-affected regions. The most heavily mined areas were the provinces bordering Iran and Pakistan."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

According to the UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA), landmines and unexploded ordnance killed or injured an average of 62 persons each month ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23803]

"The UN Mine Action Center for Afghanistan (UNMACA) reported that landmines and unexploded ordnance killed or injured an average of 62 persons each month. Mine explosions over the past two decades affected 4.2 million with an estimated 1.5 million casualties. The UN, with funding from international donors, organized and trained mine detection and clearance teams, which operated throughout the country. UN agencies and NGOs conducted many educational programs and mine awareness campaigns for women and children in various parts of the country. HALO Trust cleared 5.96 billion square feet of land. There were almost 7.78 billion square feet of uncleared land remaining at year's end, according to UNMACA."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Despite the progress in clearance of areas contaminated by land mines, mines and unexploded ordnances continue to cause casualties; Afghanistan continues to be one of the most severely mine contaminated countries in the world ("UNHCR's Eligibility Guidelines for Assessing the International Protection Needs of Afghan Asylum-Seekers") [ID 22558]

"The Afghanistan Compact sets benchmarks for the clearance of areas contaminated by land mines. It indicates that by the end of 2010, in line with Afghanistan’s Ottawa Convention obligations, the land area contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnances will be reduced by 70 percent; all stockpiled anti-personnel mines will be located and destroyed by end-2007; and by end-2010, all unsafe, unserviceable and surplus ammunition will be destroyed.

Despite continued progress made by the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) and its partners over the past decade, Afghanistan continues to be one of the most severely mine contaminated countries in the world. The land mine impact survey, completed in January 2005, reported 2,245 casualties in the two years before the survey, i.e. 922 people killed and 1,323 injured. It identified 2,368 landmine and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)-impacted communities in 259 districts and found 4.2 million persons (about 15 percent of the population) affected by mines and UXO, including 1.6 million persons living in the high or medium-impact communities. It also confirmed the existence of 4,514 suspected hazardous areas (SHAs), 715 square kilometres, of which 281 (12 percent) were high-impact, 480 (20 percent) medium-impact and 1,607 (61 percent) low-impact. While the survey found that all but two provinces (Uruzgan and Daykundi) were mine-affected, 75 percent of SHAs, and the same proportion of recent casualties, were located in twelve provinces; half the SHAs were located in just six provinces, led by Kabul. In addition, 45 percent of the recent casualties recorded by the survey were in the provinces of Kabul, Parwan and Takhar. The survey reported that of 4,514 SHAs in Afghanistan, only ten were fenced and 542 had warning signs. A total of 3,962 SHAs (87 percent) were not marked or fenced.

In 2007, mines continued to cause casualties. By 15 June 2007, the UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan (UNMACA) recorded 194 new mine/UXO casualties, including 32 killed and 162 injured. Anti-personnel mines caused 41 casualties; anti-vehicle mines, 17; cluster munitions, 4; other UXO, 108; and the remainder unknown."

Document(s): Open document

03.04.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Afghanistan to be cleared of millions of mines within 7 years with help of international community ("Afghanistan to be cleared of mine within 7 years (Xinhua News Agency)") [#48389],  [ID 2219]

Document(s): Open document

26.11.2004 - Source: UN General Assembly

Report focused on political developments, security situation (disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, police and justice reform) human rights situation, health and nutrition, voluntary repatriation and reintegration ("Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security - Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan A/59/581 S/2004/925") [#27496],  [ID 2222]

"65. Under the direction of the Mine Action Consultative Group and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the support of Canada, the United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan is currently facilitating the process of transferring responsibility for mine action in Afghanistan from the United Nations to a national mine-action coordination agency. The Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan employs approximately 8,000 Afghan personnel and 22 international technical staff, in addition to 700 demobilized soldiers, making it one of the largest civilian employers in the country.
66. The strategic goal of the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan is to remove the impact of mines and unexploded ordnance from all high-impact areas by 2007 and to make Afghanistan mine-impact-free by 2012. Since January 2003, 33 square kilometres of minefields and 69 square kilometres of battlefields have been cleared, and a total of 2,354,244 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance have been destroyed. More than 650,000 returnees have received mine-risk education in encashment and transit centres, and some 53,000 primary schoolteachers have been trained and provided with teaching materials. The number of mine victims has been reduced from approximately 150 a month in 2002 to less than 100 a month in 2004.
67. On 1 March 2003 Afghanistan became a State party to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction. Afghanistan has made a firm commitment to clear all anti-personnel mines within 10 years, destroy all stockpiled anti-personnel mines by February 2007, provide mine-risk education to vulnerable groups and assist landmine survivors."

Document(s): Open document

05.10.2004 - Source: BBC News

Kandahar: 7 policemen killed by landmine; Oruzgan province: 7 suspected insurgents killed and 5 arrested when security forces raided Taleban hideout ("Landmine kills Afghan policemen") [#26127],  [ID 2223]

Document(s): Open document

08.2004 - Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Landmine Monitor Report 2004 ("Landmine Monitor Report 2004") [#30807],  [ID 2224]

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2004 - Source: ReliefWeb

Province of Kandahar: 3 children killed and another injured by a landmine planted by suspected Taliban fighters to target U.S. and Afghan troops ("Landmine blast kills three children in southern Afghanistan (DPA)") [#23216],  [ID 2225]

Document(s): Open document

15.03.2004 - Source: ReliefWeb

Province of Nooristan: 6 civilians killed and 5 others injured in a mine explosion ("Mine explosion claims 6 lives in east Afghanistan (Xinhua)") [#20540],  [ID 2226]

"Six civilians were killed and five others injured when a mine exploded in the east Afghan province of Nooristan Sunday, sources said.
All the victims were laborers working to rehabilitate a road in the province, the sources said on Monday.
Nooristan, one of the most backward provinces in the war- battered country, was the scene of US-led military operation last month.

Violent incidents are on rise for the last couple of weeks in the south, east and southeast areas of the country and the transitional government officials usually put such attacks on Taliban operatives and their Al-Qaeda ally.

Unknown attackers have fired several rockets in the last four days at eastern provinces of Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar and the capital city of Kabul but left no casualties."

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Statistics show that there are 10 million mines planted in Afghanistan ("UNHCR Return Information Update, Issue No. 47 December 15, 2003") [#47551],  [ID 2227]

"Overview: According to the UN, at present Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mine-affected countries of the world. The statistics show that there are 10 million mines planted in Afghanistan. This statistic is, however, disputed by some parties who say that this figure does not include those planted later on by the Mujahideen and the Taliban.
Land mines were planted during the Soviet occupation (1979-1989); during the period of the pro- Soviet ruling government (1989-1992); fighting between various factions from 1992 to 1995; the Taliban era, fighting between 1996 to September 2001, and finally US-led military operations since October 2001.
Afghanistan has more than 750 sq km of suspected mined land and an additional 450 sq km of land thought to be contaminated by unexploded ordinance (UXO), killing or injuring up to five people a day.
Mine Clearance Activities: MAPA cleared 1,116 sq km land of mines and UXO in 2002, and 36.6 sq km during the first half of 2003.
According to MAPA, a period of five years (2003-2007) will be required to clear all mines and UXO contaminated areas in priority, however, the agency estimates that Afghanistan will be mine/UXO free country by 2012.
Mine Action Organisations: At present different UN organisations and NGOs are working on demining in Afghanistan under coordination of UNMACA:"

Document(s): Open document

03.12.2003 - Source: UN General Assembly

Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a significant threat ("Report of the Secretary General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security (A/58/616)") [#18064],  [ID 2228]

"68. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a significant threat to the recovery of Afghanistan. Close to 800 square kilometres of land throughout the country — of which over 50 per cent is of the highest priority for clearance — is affected, creating a serious impediment to critical humanitarian and development activities and inflicting large numbers of casualties on the local population. In some areas, contamination has been exacerbated by recent military activities and by heavy rains and landslides, which have shifted mines into previously cleared areas and altered minefield markers.
69. In response to this problem, the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan, made up of 15 implementing non-governmental organizations with over 7,200 personnel and coordinated by the United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan, has continued to meet the growing needs of humanitarian and development partners and to increase its cooperation with the Government and other entities. Significant effort s were made in 2003 to combat the threat, including the clearance of over 105 square kilometres of land and the provision of messages to 2.5 million Afghans on reducing mine risk. Surveying has reduced suspected threat areas by over 26 square kilometres, while humanitarian and development priorities, such as major road projects and infrastructure, have been better integrated into the planning, coordination and implementation of operations. In the coming months, the Mine Action Programme will also assist in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process through the integration of significant numbers of former combatants as part of a “mine action for peace” initiative. These efforts are part of ongoing progress to making Afghanistan mine-safe within 10 years as per a multiyear strategy developed by the Government, the United Nations Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan and other partners. The continuation of these tasks, which remain a prerequisite for many of the other development and recovery efforts, will, however, remain reliant upon significant donor support for mine action."

Document(s): Open document

04.09.2003 - Source: ReliefWeb

Afghanistan could be free from the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) by 2012 if clearance operations continue at current levels ("Afghanistan making headway in tackling landmine problem (UNMAS)") [#15931],  [ID 2229]

Document(s): Open document

04.09.2003 - Source: ReliefWeb

UNMAS annual report for 2002: number of civilians killed or injured by landmines and UXO monthly in Afghanistan in 2002 about 150-300 ("Landmines and UXO in Afghanistan - Facts and Figures for 2002") [#15942],  [ID 2230]

"Area currently known to be contaminated by landmines and UXO: 840 square kilometres

Number of civilians killed or injured by landmines and UXO monthly in Afghanistan: 150-300

Area of minefields cleared from 1989 through 2002: 259 square kilometres

Battle area cleared of UXO from 1989 to 2002: 495 square kilometres

Amount of minefield and former battle areas cleared in 2002: 111 square kilometres

Number of anti-personnel landmines destroyed in 2002: 36,793

Number of pieces of unexploded ordnance destroyed in 2002: 882,323

Number of anti-tank mines destroyed in 2002: 2,769

Donor contributions to Afghanistan's mine action programme in 2001: $26.3 million

Donor contributions to Afghanistan's mine action programme in 2002: $66 million"

Document(s): Open document

09.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Afghanistan weltweit das Land mit den meisten Minen; jährlich ca. 3.000 Fälle von Verletzungen durch Minen und Blindgänger ("Aktualisierte Darstellung der Lage in Afghanistan") [#47150],  [ID 2231]

"Minen
Afghanistan ist weltweit das Land mit den meisten Minen und nicht detonierter Munition auf einer Fläche von 732 Quadratkilometern. Etwa 100 Quadratkilometer frühere Frontabschnitte sind vermint und etwa 500 Quadratkilometer Kampfgebiete durch Blindgänger nicht zugänglich. Weitere Gebiete mit nicht detonierter Munition der Koalition sind hinzugekommen. UN-Berichten zufolge wurden im Jahr 2002 über 100 Quadratkilometer gesäubert und fast 40.000 Minen und über 890.000
Blindgänger zerstört, wodurch für manche Afghanen eine Rückkehr in relative Sicherheit ermöglicht wurde. Einige tausend afghanische Zivilisten erhielten Schulungen im Umgang mit Minen. Dennoch werden jedes Jahr schätzungsweise 3.000 Fälle von Verletzungen durch Landminen und Blindgänger gemeldet. Etwa 4 bis 5 Prozent der afghanischen Bevölkerung sind behindert, viele auf Grund von Unfällen mit Minen und nicht detonierter Munition."

Document(s): Open document

08.2003 - Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Landmine Monitor Report 2003 ("Landmine Monitor Report 2003") [#30806],  [ID 2232]

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2003 - Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Government and the mine action coordination group have agreed on a five-year plan ("Transitional Assistance Programme for Afghanistan - Mid-Year Review; May 2003") [#14692],  [ID 2233]

"Mine action and the clearance of unexploded ordnance remains a major area of concern as Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Progress has been made with over 2.4 million mine/UXO devices destroyed and with millions of people being given basic mine awareness. The Government and the mine action coordination group have agreed on a five-year plan that requires US$ 300 million to remove mines from high priority areas. The key areas for mine action prioritisation are: resettlement areas for refugees and internally displaced persons, emergency service facilities such as hospitals, transportation routes, major reconstruction projects such as roads, and highly populated areas especially those in close proximity to schools or housing."

Document(s): Open document

26.05.2003 - Source: ReliefWeb

Nangarhar province: 2 Afghan employees of German Agro-Action (Deutsche Welthungerhilfe) injured when their vehicle went over an explosive device ("Two Afghan employees of German NGO injured in bomb explosion (AFP)") [#13159],  [ID 2234]

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2003 - Source: Frankfurter Rundschau

UN setzen Aktionen zur Minenräumung aus ("UN setzen Aktionen zur Minenräumung aus") [#12931],  [ID 2235]

Document(s): Open document

14.04.2003 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Yaka Tut District: 3 men injured in a mine explosion on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway ("Powerful explosion on Kabul-Jalalabad road") [#12044],  [ID 2236]

Document(s): Open document

31.01.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Takhar province: according to local officials, between 5 and 10 people killed every day by mines; most of the wounded die because there are no ambulances to bring them to hospital ("Returning Afghans Fear Mine Menace") [#10744],  [ID 2237]

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2003 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

New mine action strategy ("Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world E/CN.4/2003/39") [#10757],  [ID 2238]

"27. Afghanistan remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Capacity for mine action increased markedly in 2002 and remains a cornerstone for recovery and reconstruction in TAPA 2003. A new mine action strategy aims to clear high-impact areas contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance within 5 years and low-impact areas within 10 years."

Document(s): Open document
02457afgh.pdf

13.08.2002 - Source: UN General Assembly

Mine and UXO cleaning operations ("Situation of human rights in Afghanistan A/57/309") [#9762],  [ID 2239]

"Afghanistan is one of the countries most afflicted by mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). It is estimated that 850 km2 are affected. There are some 200,000 survivors of mine and UXO accidents, and prior to the events of late 2001, the death and injury rate was 150-300 per month. The mine and UXO problem in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by recent military activities, with new areas being contaminated by UXO and additional mines being laid as forces shift throughout the country. Many large ammunition depots in major towns have been hit by air strikes, which can spread UXO over as much as a 5 km radius. Mine and UXO injuries have escalated owing to new contamination and population movement, as people shift into unfamiliar areas to avoid fighting or return to newly secure locations.
The following mine and UXO clearance operations are ongoing and need to be continued on a priority basis: (a) In the high-priority mine and UXO contaminated area, 23,825,611 m2 were cleared during the first quarter of 2002. A further 75,000,000 m2 should be cleared by the end of 2002; (b) Five regional mine action centres, the centres in the central (Kabul), southern (Kandahar), eastern (Jalalabad), northern (Mazar) and western (Herat) regions, are now operating. New regional suboffices will also be established in Bamyan, Gardez and Kunduz in order to respond to the new United Nations eightarea structure; (c) Clearance operations have returned to 100 per cent of previous capacity, but ongoing security constraints have prohibited the re-establishment of operations in some areas. To address needs in high priority areas, these security constraints are being closely monitored. Based on a recent assessment mission to the provinces of Paktia and Paktika as well as the Tora Bora region, clearance and survey capacities are being re-established in those priority areas; (d) The clearance of BLU 97 cluster munitions has been a high priority activity in all regions and new procedures have been put in place to address the new post-11 September threat. Clearance of cluster munitions is being achieved at a rate faster than anticipated."

Document(s): Open document
02385afgh.pdf

08.2002 - Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Landmine Monitor Report 2002 ("Landmine Monitor Report 2002") [#30805],  [ID 2240]

Document(s): Open document

18.03.2002 - Source: UN Security Council

Security situation threatened by landmines and unexploded ordnance ("The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security S/2002/278") [#6057],  [ID 2241]

"Landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to constitute a significant threat to the safety and security of the Afghan population and the international community, denying access to over 850 square kilometres of land and causing dozens of casualties every week. In response to this situation, the Mine Action Programme has been expanding its survey, clearance and awareness operations in the most affected parts of the country. All of the 15 partner nongovernmental organizations are again conducting operations, with more than 90 per cent of mine action personnel back at work. Most organizations must replace substantial amounts of equipment lost during factional fighting, air strikes and looting. Key access routes and other high-priority areas have been cleared, allowing humanitarian assistance and returning refugees and internally displaced persons to reach an expanding number of areas. Mine action operations will continue to be an essential prerequisite to many of the humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction efforts being planned and implemented throughout the country.
2002-03-18 Report on security and human rights situation in Afghanistan - Original title: "The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security S/2002/278;"

Document(s): 02216afgh.pdf

2002 - Source: Physicians for Human Rights

Interviews with landmine victims ("Interviews from the Field: Landmine Survivors, Teachers & Civil Servants speak about Afghanistan") [#30808],  [ID 2242]

Document(s): Open document

08.2001 - Source: International Campaign to Ban Landmines

Landmine Monitor Report 2001 ("Landmine Monitor Report 2001") [#30804],  [ID 2243]

Document(s): Open document