Afghanistan

Mine Action

Humanitarian demining Explosive ordnance risk education Victim assistance

For over 20 years, FSD has worked in Afghanistan to reduce the risks posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war. Our teams clear land and support the socio-economic reintegration of accident survivors.

A deadly legacy of mines

Afghanistan is one of the countries with the highest number of accidents caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war each year. Since 1989, more than 45,000 people have been killed or injured in accidental explosions. Among the most feared threats are “butterfly mines,” small green plastic anti-personnel mines widely scattered across the country. Light and brightly coloured, they are often mistaken for toys by children, who make up the majority of the victims.

Some children have no option but to cross mined areas to reach school.

Clear of landmines the mountainous province of Badakhshan

Isolated from the rest of Afghanistan by a mountain range, this north-eastern region is difficult to access and receives little international aid. FSD deminers located and destroyed landmines and unexploded ordnance, centimetre by centimetre, they have cleared over four million square metres of land.

At the same time, FSD ran risk education sessions to help local communities recognise dangerous items and adopt safe behaviours.

FSD also supported survivors of accidents through tailored programmes, enabling them to take part in income-generating activities such as beekeeping or sewing.

Our impact in Afghanistan (2024)

employees of FSD working in the country

+210,000

square metres cleared

379

explosive devices neutralised

Restoring safe livelihoods

In a country where farming and livestock are essential for survival, nomadic herders are among those most at risk from landmines and explosive remnants of war. By clearing land in Badakhshan, FSD made it possible for agricultural and pastoral activities to resume and allowed children to walk to school without risking their lives. Each cleared area represents a step towards stability: families return to their fields, herds return to pastures, and villages come back to life.

In 2024, FSD’s operations in Afghanistan were supported by the US Department of State as well as private donors.

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