The United Nations (UN) has raised fresh alarm over the devastating toll of landmines and explosive remnants of war, revealing that 84% of those injured or killed are civilians.
According to a post shared by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), on Sunday via its official X account, children make up nearly 40% of these casualties.
The sobering statistics highlight the urgent need for continued global mine clearance efforts, particularly in post-conflict regions where unexploded devices continue to threaten lives long after fighting has ceased. “When landmines and explosive ordnances contaminate the land, on average 84% of casualties are civilians,” the agency noted.
UNMAS, which leads international mine action coordination from its Geneva office, works in affected countries to remove landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and other deadly remnants of war. These activities are critical not only to saving lives but also to enabling safe access to farmlands, schools, and humanitarian aid.
The UN has called on governments and international partners to increase support for mine action programs, stressing that a mine-free world is essential for long-term peace, recovery, and development.
