The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority Celebrates International Day for Mine Awareness and Cooperation in Mine Action

Today, on Tuesday, the Acting Head of Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, Alhaj Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, spoke at a gathering organized to commemorate the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. He stated that due to years of conflict, a significant portion of the country’s land remains contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, posing a serious threat to the population, particularly nomads and livestock herders.
He added with regret that every day, Afghan citizens lose their lives due to mines and unexploded ordnance.
Expressing appreciation for the efforts of mine action organizations in the country, Alhaj Turabi Sahb emphasized: “We are fully prepared to cooperate with these organizations in every possible way and will provide all necessary facilities. We also urge them to accelerate their activities.”
He further noted that mines should never be used again, but unfortunately, the issue persists due to past conflicts. Therefore, mines must be located and neutralized. He called on all relevant institutions to strongly support mine action programs.
In continuation, the Head of Mine Action Coordination, Qari Nooruddin Rastamkhil, stated that Afghanistan’s mine action program should be supported independently of political issues. He highlighted that out of 5,143 registered contaminated areas, 3,993 have been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance, while 1,150 areas still require clearance.
Subsequently, the Head of the United Nations Mine Action Service in Afghanistan, Nicholas Stephen Pound, emphasized the importance of increasing public awareness, pointing to the improved security environment for implementing mine action programs. He noted that children are the most frequent victims of mines. He also expressed gratitude to countries supporting the program and extended condolences to the families of victims.
At the same time, the Deputy Minister of Economy, Abdul Latif Nazari, stated that mines and unexploded ordnance pose a significant obstacle to the country’s economic and agricultural development. He added that clearing these areas would create more opportunities for employment and the productive use of land. He underscored the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority’s critical role in attracting foreign aid and called for continued support for the authority.
The Acting Head of the National Environmental Protection Agency, Molvi Mati ul Haq Khalis, described mines as a serious problem for the country and called for broad cooperation from all sides to support mine action efforts. He stressed that Afghanistan faces numerous challenges and should not be left alone in such circumstances.
Meanwhile, the representative of mine action organizations, Nisar Ahmad Omarzai, noted that although international support has decreased in recent years, favorable conditions for mine action operations have been established. He urged all countries not to let this humanitarian program become a victim of political issues.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Policy at the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Mohammad Hassan Ghiassi, announced the launch of psychosocial support programs for mine victims. He stated that, with the financial support of international organizations, the ministry has initiated effective measures to address the psychological challenges faced by affected individuals.
The Deputy Head of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kabul, Ghulam Raza Najjar, referenced the dangers of mines in both Iran and Afghanistan and emphasized the need for joint cooperation to clear contaminated areas. He also called on the United Nations to further increase its support in this regard.
Continuing, the Senior Technical Advisor for Mine Action Coordination, Dr. Aimal Safi, stated that clearing mines would pave the way for economic growth, agricultural development, and the safe return of migrants. He added that the mine action program has so far assisted over 438,000 victims and provided mine risk education to more than 11 million people.
At the conclusion of the event, Alhaj Mullah Nooruddin Turabi visited an exhibition on mine action and expressed appreciation for the activities and achievements of the responsible institutions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring public safety and protecting lives.

April 15th, 2025 
Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority - ANDMA