A Story That Is All Too Familiar in Afghanistan

July 6, 2022

J. arrived at our hospital in Kabul around two months ago, together with his two little cousins. All three were injured when a landmine exploded.

They were playing when they found a small object. It looked like it was made of steel. It exploded when J. tried to open it.

The three cousins were all injured, but J. suffered the most serious wounds, on both of his hands and his face too.

They were immediately brought to our First Aid Post, where they were stabilised, before being referred by ambulance to our hospital in Kabul. They underwent several operations.

J.’s two little cousins took care of him whilst they were all staying in hospital together – playing and helping him to eat. A doctor told us ‘one day I was passing by and I saw them sharing an apple juice with J., one sip each.’

What happened to J. and his cousins is a story that is all too familiar in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to recognise dangerous objects such as mines and unexploded ordnance. Especially children.

EMERGENCY’s Surgical Centres for War Victims in Kabul and Lashkar-Gah are co-funded by EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid and the World Health Organization.