Damascus, SANA-On the occasion of International Mine Awareness Day, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stressed the need to address the threat of explosive ordnance in Syria. Landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to pose a deadly threat to the country’s citizens, especially as more people return home after years of displacement and new communities become contaminated by violence.
Head of International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a statement to SANA reporter on Thursday, that since the 8 December, Syria has witnessed a tragic increase in the number of victims due to explosive ordnance. 748 injuries were reported between that date and March 25, including more than 500 injuries since 1 January, compared to 912 injuries recorded throughout the year 2024.
“Mines and explosive devices have claimed the lives of children while playing in Daraa and Hama, and that several women have been injured while collecting firewood or scrap metal in Deir Ezzor and Idleb, in addition to farmers who have been injured while working in their lands in Douma.”Sakalian added.
According to the official, more than half of Syria’s population faces life-threatening risks every day, and children are the most vulnerable, as one in three victims of explosive devices is a child.
He also stressed the need to highlight the seriousness of the situation, raise awareness of the risks, promote safe livelihoods, and increase demining efforts to prevent further tragedies.
Sakalian detailed that 138 people affected by explosive ordnance received free physical rehabilitation and psychological and social support at Red Crescent or Ministry of Health centers supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) , as well as 18 people were referred for further medical care, and 381 people received humanitarian assistance to help them regain a dignified and independent life as much as possible.
He emphasized the commitment of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to alleviating the suffering caused by explosive devices in Syria, but this work cannot be accomplished without the support of all actors in the field of mine action, including the Syrian authorities.
Nisreen Othman / Fedaa
