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Iraqi News
06-04-2025
- General
- Iraqi News
Iraq: Mines/ERW killed or injured 314+ children in 5 years, UN reports
Baghdad ( – In a statement released on April 4th, International Day for Mine Awareness, UNICEF emphasized that landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) remain a grave threat to people in Iraq, especially children. Over the previous five years, these terrible risks have killed or harmed at least 314 youngsters, according to official UN reports that the group referenced. The threat is widespread; concerning estimates suggest that more than 2,700 square kilometers of Iraqi territory are still poisoned. In addition to endangering lives on a daily basis, this pervasive contamination seriously impedes economic development, restricts access to education and essential livelihoods, and—most importantly—prevents hundreds of displaced families from safely returning to their hometowns, thereby obstructing efforts at national stability and reconstruction. Every child has the right to a safe and stable childhood, free from the threat of mines and ERW,' said Sandra Lattouf, representatives of UNICEF in Iraq. Beyond only causing physical injury, she underlined, these hidden threats deny children the opportunity to play, learn, and develop in a safe setting. UNMAS Iraq Programme Manager Pehr Lodhammar stated that pollution is still a significant barrier to progress and reaffirmed UNMAS's dedication to helping the Iraqi government and the Directorate of Mine Action (DMA) remove land for rebuilding and safe return. UNICEF and UNMAS jointly called on the Iraqi government to take immediate action to improve protection for people, particularly children, from ERW hazards in observance of Mine Awareness Day. In order to provide Iraqi children a better, more secure future, they reiterated their unwavering commitment to cooperating to speed up mine clearing operations, increase risk education initiatives, and fortify preventative measures.
Shafaq News
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
UN: Landmines in Iraq affected over 300 children
Shafaq News/ Landmines and explosive remnants of war remain a severe threat in Iraq, with children among the most vulnerable, according to United Nations agencies. On the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, marked on April 4, official UN reports revealed that in the past five years, at least 314 children have been killed or injured by explosive ordnance. 'The mission of the United Nations Mine Action Service in Iraq is to promote safety and to provide opportunities for stability and sustainable development," said Pehr Lodhammar, Chief of Mine Action Programme for UNMAS in Iraq. "UNMAS will continue to support the Government of Iraq and the Directorate for Mine Action in addressing the explosive ordnance contamination and will spare no effort to pave the way for a safe and dignified return of Iraqi displaced people and productive use of the land.' Despite ongoing efforts by national and international organizations, the reports considered Iraq is still one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world. More than 2,700 square kilometers of land remain affected by explosive hazards, posing a significant risk to civilians, hindering economic recovery, and obstructing safe access to schools and essential services. UNICEF echoed the call for urgent action. 'Every child has the right to a safe and secure childhood—free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war,' said Sandra Lattouf, UNICEF Representative in Iraq. 'These hidden dangers not only endanger lives but also deprive children of their rights to play, learn, and thrive.' UNMAS and UNICEF reiterated their commitment to working alongside the Iraqi government to accelerate mine clearance efforts, expand risk education programs, and strengthen protective measures. Their goal, they said, is to ensure a safer and more secure future for Iraq's children.
