Thread: Yesterday was International Day for Mine Awareness and I& #39;m seeing lots of governments praising themselves for clearing #Afghanistan& #39;s mines and unexploded ordnances.
A few things to remember:

Directorate of Mine Action Coordination has recorded a total of 86 US abandoned firing ranges located in at least 16 provinces throughout Afghanistan.

63 out of 86 firing ranges are closed/cleared from all types of explosive ordnances, but a remaining 23, covering 546 square kilometres are still open and need to be cleared/released from the explosive hazards.

Five firing ranges covering 46 square kilometres, located in Bamyan, were left by New Zealand& #39;s military forces during their ISAF mission. New Zealand has committed to funding the clearing by 2020-2021.

However, many of the firing ranges haven& #39;t been cleared, putting people - including deminers - at risk.

Here& #39;s a positive story though within the mess:
Bamyan became the first province to be mine-free, and the job was mainly done by women. Here& #39;s my story, published last year: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/women-and-girls/first-afghanistan-province-declared-mine-free-thanks-all-female/
All">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-he... info and numbers above from UNMAS.