UNICEF reports over 100 children killed in Syria from unexploded ordnance during the past month, averaging nearly four deaths per day. With over 300,000 mines remaining across the country, urgent international collaboration is needed for demining efforts to protect affected children and facilitate Syria’s recovery.
Syria continues to grapple with the devastating consequences of unexploded ordnance (UXO) as highlighted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Over the past month, more than 100 children lost their lives due to remnants of war, with an alarming rate of nearly four casualties daily. In his statements from Damascus, UNICEF Emergency Communication Manager Ricardo Pires reported that at least 422,000 instances of UXO have been documented across 14 governorates, indicating a severe threat to children as they navigate contaminated areas.
In December alone, 116 children were reported killed or injured by these explosives, underscoring the urgency for international support in demining efforts. Mr. Pires emphasized that with more than 300,000 landmines still present in Syria, the risk to five million children in contaminated regions remains dire.
Renewed conflict has exacerbated this crisis, forcing over 250,000 children to flee their homes. In areas like Homs and Damascus, remnants of explosive weapons pose constant dangers, presenting life-altering risks for inquisitive youths who may survive such blasts but face substantial challenges in accessing education and healthcare.
UNICEF advocates for increased humanitarian demining initiatives and the establishment of mine-risk education programs while calling for a commitment to immediate investment in safety measures. These efforts are vital to reversing the humanitarian crisis and rebuilding Syria. As stated by UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, funding such demining projects requires tens of millions of dollars—an investment deemed necessary to save countless lives and facilitate the country’s recovery.
The ongoing conflict in Syria has left a legacy of devastating unexploded ordnance (UXO) which poses a critical threat to children. With an estimated 300,000 landmines still unaddressed, the plight of children living in contaminated areas has raised significant concerns among humanitarian organizations. As military conflicts evolve, the challenge of demining and ensuring safety for displaced families becomes increasingly urgent, especially in light of the recent escalations in violence and displacement.
In summary, the tragic toll of unexploded ordnance in Syria places children at extreme risk, with over 100 fatalities recorded in the past month alone. UNICEF’s appeal for global support in demining efforts is crucial to safeguarding the lives of approximately five million affected children. The international community must prioritize humanitarian demining and invest in educational initiatives to prevent further casualties and aid in the reconstruction of Syria.
Original Source: news.un.org
