European Commission to continue funding demining in Afghanistan

The European Commission announced it will continue supporting mine clearance programs in Afghanistan and strengthen efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of explosives and provide medical services for victims.

In a statement on Monday, the Commission noted that decades of war have left Afghanistan facing an extensive threat from mines and unexploded ordnance, which continue to kill or injure civilians. Afghanistan is one of the world's most contaminated countries by remaining mines, with millions of unexploded munitions left in villages, mountainous areas and agricultural lands. Many of these were placed years ago without recorded exact positions.

According to statistics from the United Nations Mine Action Coordination Office, more than 45,000 civilians have been killed or wounded in Afghanistan by mine and unexploded ordnance explosions since 1989.

The European Union conducts demining activities in Afghanistan through partner organizations, particularly the HALO Trust.

The Commission emphasized that mines and unexploded ordnance from past years remain a serious threat to civilians. It stated that the mine clearance process is time-consuming and costly, but removing each mine eliminates a hidden threat.

In addition to clearance efforts, the Commission said it supports educational programs to increase local communities' awareness of explosive hazards, as well as medical and rehabilitation services for survivors.