Afghanistan ranks third worldwide in fatalities caused by unexploded ordnance, with large areas of the country still contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned.

In a public message, UNAMA said the United Nations continues to seek funding for mine-clearance organizations working to remove landmines and other explosive remnants of conflict. These organizations also conduct awareness campaigns to educate communities about the dangers posed by unexploded devices.

Children are particularly vulnerable, accounting for 80 percent of all casualties caused by these explosive hazards, according to UNAMA. Many are injured or killed after encountering unexploded ordnance while playing.

The UN mission stressed that public awareness and collective action are essential to preventing further casualties and saving lives.

UNAMA urged people not to touch unfamiliar or suspicious objects and to report them immediately to the relevant authorities.

The warning highlights the continuing humanitarian consequences of decades of conflict in Afghanistan, where landmines and unexploded ammunition remain a serious threat to civilians, particularly children.

UNAMA called for sustained support for mine-clearance operations and stronger community awareness initiatives to reduce casualties and make contaminated areas safer.

Officials from western Afghanistan have met in Herat to discuss job creation, crime prevention, combating drug cultivation and trafficking, and improving public services across the region.

The meeting was chaired by Herat Governor Maulana Islam Jar and attended by the governors of Badghis, Ghor, Farah and Nimroz provinces, as well as military commanders, security officials and judicial representatives.

Discussions focused on expanding employment opportunities for young people, reducing crime, preventing drug-related activities and improving the delivery of public services through government institutions.

Islam Jar stressed the need to create jobs in agriculture, industry and construction, particularly in the western provinces, to address unemployment and improve living conditions.

He also called for stronger coordination among provincial officials and emphasized the importance of implementing directives issued by the Islamic Emirate’s leadership across various sectors.

During the meeting, officials outlined the administrative, security and economic conditions in their respective provinces and reported on efforts to expand employment opportunities and improve living standards.

The meeting underscored regional authorities’ focus on strengthening interprovincial coordination, addressing security challenges and promoting economic development across western Afghanistan.

Shabana Basij-Rasikh, founder of the School of Leadership Afghanistan (SOLA), has announced a permanent $2.5 million fund to support Afghan women pursuing master’s degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

The scholarship programme is expected to launch in September 2027, funding at least one Afghan woman each year. It will cover the full cost of study, including tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and other essential costs.

Recipients will also have access to leadership development opportunities through Oxford’s Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust.

Basij-Rasikh said the initiative should not be interpreted as a political statement, referring to restrictions affecting access to UK visas. She also stressed that the fund is separate from SOLA’s operational budget.

SOLA supports Afghan girls’ education through its boarding school in Rwanda and SOLAx, its online learning programme. Together, the initiatives provide educational opportunities to more than 40,000 students.

The scholarship comes amid continuing restrictions on girls’ and women’s access to education in Afghanistan. It aims to provide a pathway for Afghan women to pursue advanced studies at an internationally recognised university while developing their leadership skills.