The United Nations is making headlines as it raises a red flag over the alarming plight of displaced communities in Nigeria, where the shocking closure of camps is forcing individuals back into dangerous areas riddled with hidden landmines and explosive remnants of war. This urgent warning was delivered during a high-profile international meeting on landmine action at the UN headquarters in Geneva, attracting attention and concern from around the globe.

Experts took the stage at this pivotal meeting, highlighting a disturbing trend: resources are dwindling in conflict-ridden regions like Afghanistan and Nigeria, leaving innocent civilians shockingly exposed to the lethal threats of unexploded ordnance. They stressed that what many view as long-term recovery measures are actually lifesaving humanitarian interventions critical for survival!

Mr. Edwin Faigmane, the Chief of the Mine Action Programme and a key figure from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Nigeria, delivered a harrowing message about the risks returnees face. He revealed a staggering statistic: a jaw-dropping 80 percent of civilian casualties from landmines occur in just 11 of the 15 designated return areas! This shocking revelation illustrates the immense dangers that displaced individuals confront as they strive to reintegrate into their communities.

In response to this urgent crisis, UNMAS is rolling out training programs for Nigerian security forces, police, and civil defense workers, emphasizing risk education in unstable and hard-to-reach areas. Faigmane proudly shared that this initiative has produced notable results, with first-hand accounts from police and community members reporting suspicious items and notifying local authorities, who then alert security and military forces.

The dangers of explosive remnants aren’t limited to Nigeria; they extend to vulnerable children in Afghanistan as well! A recent UN-partnered Landmine Monitor report revealed a staggering 77 percent of all casualties in Afghanistan in 2024 were children. On average, an alarming 54 individuals are killed each month by explosive remnants of war, cementing Afghanistan’s status as one of the most dangerous places in the world for this type of tragedy.

Nick Pond, who spearheads mine action efforts at the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, shared heart-wrenching insights into the reality faced by children in conflict zones. Tragically, many casualties involve boys tending livestock in rural areas who unwittingly pick up and play with dangerous items, resulting in fatal accidents.

Despite the pressing need for more deminers to guarantee safety in Afghanistan after decades of relentless conflict, an overwhelming lack of funding is obstructing efforts. Pond disclosed that the number of personnel engaged in demining has plummeted from 15,000 in 2011 to a mere 1,300 today!

Since 1999, a staggering 30,154 child casualties have been recorded in Afghanistan, underscoring the urgent necessity for continued mine-clearance initiatives to diminish global casualty figures. Christelle Loupforest, UNMAS Representative in Geneva, pointed out that while mine-clearance programs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Sudan have recently garnered improved support, the dire situations in Afghanistan and Nigeria hang in the balance, with programs facing immediate suspension without new donor commitments.

Furthermore, Loupforest highlighted that similar challenges plague mine action programs in Ethiopia, emphasizing the critical need for international support to tackle these harrowing humanitarian crises.

The dire circumstances in Nigeria and Afghanistan serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threats posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and displaced communities.