Afghanistan
Problem statement
In the shadow of never-finished wars, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest and most contaminated countries by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) in the world. Despite significant achievements in the field of landmine clearance, where 77% of minefields have already been cleared, pressure-plate improvised explosive devices (PPIED) and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) are left as consequence of latest fightings. They kill and injure the civil population on daily basis, with more than 50 % of victims being children. In addition, ERW contamination is still present at former international military facilities and firing ranges resulting from the withdrawal of international military forces, who were present in the country for nearly 20 years.
This all poses an immediate danger towards the civil population and impedes further development of those areas.
In addition to problems related with ERW, Afghanistan citizens face severe issues related to health, such as difficult access to health services in rural areas, health issues related to contagious diseases, fertility and high birth mortality rate.
What we do
Cluster Munition Clearance
During two months in 2017, Demining Agency for Afganistan (DAFA) cleared 701,771 square meters of land, contaminated with cluster munition. During clearance, 440 UXOs, 7 BLUs and 15 SAA were found and destroyed.
Victim Assistance
TF was approached by NGO Mine Detection Center (MDC) in Kabul at the end of 2015 regarding possible support of the MDC Polyclinic. The project of supporting the MDC Polyclinic in Kabul enables free healthcare support to the deminers and their family members as well as the population of Kabul, in particular physiotherapeutic, psychosocial, gynecological and dental services as well as other examinations and consultations. The project specifically focuses on the services aimed at women and children, who cannot afford healthcare. Around 16,000 medical services, examinations and counselling were delivered on annual basis in the period of 2015-2020.
ITF has also supported the project “Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) workshop in Kunduz regional hospital”, implemented by Humanity and Inclusion (HI). The project was conducted in Kunduz region in period from 1 July 2019 till 31 August 2020 and through the support of two P&O technicians and one support staff, the needs of most vulnerable Kunduz citizens with disabilities were met. During 2019 and 2020, more than 650 beneficiaries received certain services from Prosthetics and Orthotics workshop in Kunduz.
Capacity Building
ITF formally started to work in Afghanistan in 2014, when ANDMA (Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority) and ITF signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The Capacity Support to Mine Action Coordination and Transition in Afghanistan project officially started on 1 August 2014.
ITF has been supporting the development of national capacities in the field of mine action, specifically the Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) as part of ANDMA, and provided coordination related to the delivery of quality assurance in Afghanistan's regions through salary payments for 30 Operational Personnel. In addition, ITF is covering all logistic and support costs of DMAC including DMAC Regional Offices.
For more information on ITF’s past activities in Afghanistan, we welcome you to consult our Annual Reports, while for the plans in the forthcoming year please consider our Portfolio of Projects.