Five million children in Syria face constant danger from landmines

Syria has endured over 14 years of brutal conflict, severely impacting its population, particularly children. As a result of the ongoing violence, approximately 5 million children now live in areas where deadly landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) pose a persistent threat to their safety. Reported incidents of UXO have exceeded 422,000 in 14 Governorates, with many resulting in tragic outcomes for children. UNICEF has been actively working to address this crisis by promoting humanitarian demining efforts and providing risk education programs. The organization aims to educate children on identifying and avoiding explosive remnants, thus enabling them to navigate their communities with a greater sense of security. The situation is dire, as families frequently encounter unseen perils when accessing agricultural lands or returning home after displacement. Many civilians, like Suleiman Khalil, have suffered life-altering injuries from stepping on landmines while attending to everyday tasks such as olive picking. Khalil’s experience illustrates the hidden dangers that lurk beneath the surface in regions once controlled by various military factions. Similarly, stories of other victims reveal the extensive toll that these explosive remnants have taken on the Syrian populace, making it challenging for communities to progress toward recovery and rebuilding. Despite the risk, UNICEF's commitment to assist children and families continues. Their risk education initiatives aim not only to inform communities about the types of explosives they may encounter but also to provide psychosocial support to help children cope with the trauma of living in a war-torn environment. By 2025, UNICEF hopes to reach over 653,000 children and caregivers through preventive measures and survivor assistance. However, the agency warns that without adequate funding and support, the risk of injury and death from these remnants of war will persist, significantly undermining any hopes for reconstruction and recovery in Syria. The involvement of different military factions throughout the prolonged conflict has greatly complicated demining efforts. As regions become accessible post-conflict, the likelihood of discovering still-active landmines increases, highlighting the importance of establishing structured demining operations. Activists and humanitarian organizations have urged the transitional Syrian government to collaborate with the UN for more organized and effective mine clearance initiatives. Without decisive action and increased humanitarian efforts, the ongoing danger from landmines will persist, inflicting further suffering upon the children of Syria and hampering their future prospects.