Attachments
SUMMARY:
On the 2025 International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, we wish to urgently highlight the rising number of casualties from explosive ordnance across Syria. After almost 14 years of war, the new chapter that began in early December 2024, rose hopes for freedom of movement and the possibility to return, visit homes and see family. However, increased possibilities to move about also brought to light the unprecedented levels of contamination with explosive ordnance. Since December 2024, 317* people were killed (71 of whom were children) and 447 were injured (189 children) in staggering 364 accidents involving explosive ordnance. Since early December, a total of 113 casualties have been recorded in mine-related accidents alone, with 57 people killed and 56 injured. The majority of those accidents took place as people were trying to move about, pursue livelihoods or provide for their families.
Urgent funding is needed to expand the response of mine action partners and ensure that Syrians can feel safe as they are trying to rebuild their lives and their country. So far, mine action has been the most underfunded sector in the entire Syria response, with only 13% of the 2024 HRP requirements covered.
UNMAS and HI coordinate the mine action response through the Mine Action Area of Responsibility and are working with partners to scale up the response.
*This Situation Update has been produced in cooperation with the International NGO Safety Organisation – INSO.