United Nations Photo

Twelve-year-old, Abdurrahim Ahmed Mohamed poses with his friends in front of his house in Al Salam camp for displaced persons (from left to right): Maggi Issa, Mohammed Abdalla, Abdurrahim, Jamil Ala Abbakar, and Faris Kharoum. In 2008, Abdurrahim lost his right hand and the sight in his left eye when he and his friends played with unexploded ordnance (UXO) found near his house in their village.

UXOs are explosive weapons (bombs, shells, grenades, land mines, naval mines, etc.) that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation, potentially many decades after they were used or discarded. In Darfur, as a consequence of the ongoing conflict, UXOs are a grave concern for civilians, especially children, who are at risk of serious injury or death. To promote awareness of UXOs, the International Day of Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is held on 4 April.