Earlier this Wednesday (Dec 3, 2025), the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) shared on its official X account that over 1.5 million Afghans are living with significant disabilities – most stemming from decades of conflict. 😔
Children, in particular, face a disproportionate impact, with many suffering life-altering injuries from landmines and unexploded ordnance scattered across the country. In just the past two weeks, blasts in Kandahar, Uruzgan, and Balkh provinces killed seven people (including kids) and injured nine more.
Afghanistan remains one of the world's most mine-affected regions: about 1,150 sq km is still contaminated, turning every trip outside into a risky adventure.
What's at stake:
- Family Struggles ❤️: Limited access to rehab services, adaptive schools, and accessible infrastructure leaves many disabled Afghans and their loved ones in constant hardship.
- Tech Innovations 💡: From drone surveys to smartphone apps that map hazard zones, local startups and NGOs are leveraging tech to speed up demining and keep communities safer.
- Your Role 🌐: Tech-savvy activists in South and Southeast Asia can help by amplifying awareness, supporting online fundraisers, or volunteering with disability advocacy groups.
UNAMA stresses that while demining and emergency aid are crucial, lasting change requires sustained investment in healthcare, education, and inclusive services. With young digital natives driving the conversation, there's real hope to help clear the path toward a safer, more inclusive Afghanistan. ✊
Reference(s):
1.5m Afghans live with disabilities, many victims of conflict: UN
cgtn.com
