Syria: Significant rise in deaths and injuries from unexploded ordnance as families return home

• 1 million munitions have been used in Syria over nearly 14 years of war.
• With a minimum failure rate between 10-30%, there are potentially between 100,000 and 300,000 explosive items littering the country.
• 15.4 million Syrians - two thirds of the population – are at risk of death and injury due to explosive ordnance.
• Since December 2024, Syria has experienced a significant rise in incidents related to unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war.
• 116 children were killed or injured by unexploded ordnance in December, an average of nearly four per day.
• Humanity & Inclusion has been organising life-saving risk education sessions inside Syria and at the borders to teach children and adults about the danger of unexploded ordnance.
• Our team also provides rehabilitation and psychological care to people impacted by explosive weapons.

Extensive contamination by explosive remnants of war (ERW) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) poses a significant threat to the safety of civilians and seriously undermines Syria's recovery efforts. In areas where families are starting to return to their homes and land, this contamination is a real and omnipresent danger. The presence of explosive ordnance is also impeding the delivery of crucial humanitarian assistance and services, and will significantly hinder reconstruction and early recovery efforts in the coming months and years. A new briefing paper from Humanity & Inclusion (HI), “Explosive ordnance contamination in Syria”, gives an overview of the gravity of the problem.

1 million explosive munitions used in 14 years

Syria is contaminated by the full spectrum of explosive weapons: manufactured explosives, improvised and homemade bombs, abandoned ammunitions, landmines and other explosive remnants of war.

Over the course of Syria’s almost 14 years of war, an estimated 1 million explosive
munitions were used. The minimum failure rate of munitions at any given time being
between 10-30%, there are potentially between 100,000 and 300,000 explosive items
littering the country’s critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and residential property as well as agricultural land, irrigation systems and aquifers.

“In Syria, many unconventional weapons have been used, such as explosive barrels, which have a higher failure rate,” explains Danila Zizi, Country Director for Humanity & Inclusion's Syria Response.

8 in 10 agricultural fields in Syria are contaminated with explosive ordnance, directly impacting livelihoods in a country where much of the population depends on agriculture for survival.

According to latest estimates, 15.4 million Syrians - two thirds of the population – are at
risk of death and injury due to explosive ordnance.

“Mines and unexploded ordnance now cover fields, villages, and towns, posing hidden dangers that severely disrupt daily life. Families wishing to return to their homes or lands remain trapped in fear, knowing that a single misstep could lead to a serious injury or even death,” says Danila Zizi.

Children particularly at risk

Since December 2024, Syria has experienced a significant rise in incidents related to unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war. Civilian casualties due to explosive ordnance incidents are reported almost daily.

“In just over two months, there has been a sharp increase in incidents involving unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war. We know that children are particularly exposed to this danger and are really concerned about this ” says Zizi.
In December last year, 116 children were killed or injured by unexploded ordnance, an average of nearly four per day.

In the last nine years, at least 422,000 incidents involving unexploded ordnance were reported in 14 governorates across Syria, with half estimated to have ended in tragic child casualties.

Severe injuries and lack of medical services

Explosive ordnance accidents cause severe psychological as well as physical injuries, including traumatic amputations, soft tissue injuries, fractures, eye injuries and burns. These injuries can result in long-term disabilities, amputations, or even death, bringing yet further devastation to the lives of affected families and communities.

Over 28% of the Syrian population over the age of two now has some kind of disability.
But access to healthcare is difficult. Only 62% of hospitals and 53% of primary healthcare centres are fully functional in Syria.

“Major cities such as Raqqa, East Aleppo, Deraa, Homs, and Eastern Ghouta have been devastated by the bombing. Access to essential services, such as healthcare and education, remains extremely limited,” says Danila Zizi.

Supporting the affected population

Humanity & Inclusion has been organising life-saving risk education sessions inside Syria and at the borders to teach children and adults about the danger of unexploded ordnance and what they might find in their village, school, or home.

Our team also provides rehabilitation and psychological care to people impacted by explosive weapons.

Notes

•  Danila Zizi, Country Director for Humanity & Inclusion's Syria Response, is available for interviews.
•  Briefing paper from Humanity & Inclusion (HI), “Explosive ordnance contamination in Syria” (pdf)

Humanity & Inclusion's work in Syria

Since 2012, HI has been carrying out one of Syria's most significant humanitarian missions. Our 330 staff implement a wide range of activities. In partnership with a vast network of local organisations and health centres, we provide rehabilitation services for older people, people with disabilities, and those injured as a result of the conflict.

Since 2012, Humanity & Inclusion has provided humanitarian aid to 2 million people in Syria and Syrian refugees in five other countries. In 12 years, nearly 20,000 people were fitted with braces or artificial limbs. We have distributed mobility aids and related supplies to over 210,000 people and provided physical and functional rehabilitation sessions to 275,000.

In 2024 alone, HI teams and partners across Syria conducted:

•  20,800 risk education sessions reaching 145,000 people about the dangers of explosive ordnance
•  Rehabilitation sessions caring for 38,500 patients
•  Mental health sessions supporting 26,000 individuals
•  Distribution of 29,000 assistive devices, including wheelchairs, crutches, and more.

About Us

Co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is a charity working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. We work tirelessly alongside disabled and vulnerable people to help meet their basic needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Registered Charity no. 1082565