In Syria, over the years, the use of explosive ordnance - including through air and artillery strikes with rockets and mortars, and improvised explosive devices and landmines – has killed, injured, traumatised, and displaced the civilian population. Further, it has destroyed civilian infrastructure, impedes early recovery programming, and is the main access constraint for the safe and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Today, one in two people in Syria are at risk of death or injury by explosive ordnance, because of the extremely high levels of contamination in the country. Over a third of explosive ordnance casualties in Syria died, with one in three survivors suffering an amputation of a limb, and two in three sustaining a lifelong impairment. The recent earthquake exacerbated the risks of contamination as areas were destroyed and all the contamination studies needs now to be updated.
Explosive Ordnance accidents can result in serious injury and death, leading to long-term physical and psychological trauma for survivors and their families. In addition to health services, livelihood support and education services are key elements of effective victim assistance. 2022 community surveys found that the most reported support required for survivors of EO accidents in Syria is economic support.
Experience from livelihood programs for persons with disabilities who have restarted work, for example as taxi drivers and shop keepers, clearly demonstrates that EO survivors can obtain economic independence and provide for themselves and their families.
Based on the HNO 2023, widespread contamination from unexploded ordnances (UXOs) represents a major security concern in most of the country, particularly in Idleb, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Deir-ez-Zor, Al-Hasakeh, Rural Damascus, Quneitra and Dar’a Governorates. Contamination is most frequently reported on agricultural land, roads and private property, followed by schools, other public infrastructure and hospitals. It is one of the top access constraints reported to impede the safe delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance to people in need.
The full extent of EO contamination in Syria is yet unknown. According to HMA experts in Northeast Syria, nine additional years are estimated to be needed to complete the clearance activities of all currently known contamination in the northeastern areas.1 Other parts of the country remain largely unsurvey, though the very high casualty figures of recent years point to extreme contamination