Educating Afghans about mine risk

Landmines and explosive remnants of war affect an estimated 6.4 million Afghans living in 2,400 landmine-contaminated communities in the country. After 25 years of landmine use in Afghanistan estimates indicate that more than 100,000 people have been landmine victims.

The ICRC and the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) conduct a Mine Action Programme. Through mine risk education – teaching people in mine affected communities about the risks of mines – and by collecting data about landmines to support de-mining activities, the Mine Action Programme seeks to reduce the number of mine victims.

Malina, from Bamiyan, is 28 years old and she has been working with the Mine Action Programme for two years. She is one of 54 ARCS volunteers, including 15 women, conducting mine risk education.

She and her colleagues carried out more than 5,000 sessions to mine affected communities in 2004, reaching more than 200,000 people to collect data and educate Afghans about the risks of mines.

Malina and her female colleagues conduct all mine risk education activities for women and girls in 18 provinces. In 2005, they will expand their activities to cover 24 provinces.

Malina is obviously proud of the volunteer work that she conducts.

"Mine risk education activities are effective in reducing mine incidents because they raise the knowledge of people about the danger of mines and explosive remnants of war," she says.

Malina conducts much of her work at clinics where women come to see the doctor for treatment.

"As an Afghan woman, I am very happy to have a role in reducing the danger of mines and explosive remnants of war by educating people about these risks. In this way, I can do something useful for our war affected people."