By Albert González Farran [April 2013]

Suleiman Fatul Saim (10 years old), from Dar Al Salam, North Darfur, poses reading a schoolbook in his bedroom. Photo by Albert González Farran.

Harum Ali, 17 years old from Mellit, North Darfur, dreamed all his life to become an engineer. But recently that has changed and now he wants to become a doctor. He has spent so much time lately in the hospital in El Fasher and this time has shown him how important the job of a doctor is. He is still recovering from the serious injuries that he suffered while playing with a piece of artillery that he found nearby his house. It exploded right in front of him, causing injuries to his legs and arms. Worse, he lost two younger brothers in the incident.

It happened on 26 January 2013. Harum found a remain of a projectile, the size of a pack of gum, and technically called an Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). He didn't know what it was and, along with his two small brothers (two and seven years old) and other two friends started playing with it. Then it detonated. He spent two days unconscious and was immediately evacuated to El Fasher, where he still remains in recovery.

His mother, Haram Mohamed, who is accompanying him during his recovery, has mixed feelings after losing two children. "I am sad and I accept what God decided for my family," says Haram, "but I am also angry because it happened due to the fighting in Darfur." Haram wants an end to the conflict, because innocent victims like her three children "don't deserve these consequences".

The incident involved also a serious economic implication to the family. Harum's recovery cost 15,000 Sudanese pounds (about US $2700), fifty times more than the family can make it one month selling their produce in the market. That's why the family needed to sell their furniture and other belongings and borrow money from relatives and friends to cover the expenses.

This family, like many others in Darfur, count on the support of local NGOs, like Friends of Peace and Development, and the Center of Disabled People. With the collaboration of UNAMID's Mine Action section, these organizations frequently organize awareness campaigns for the population about the dangers of UXOs in Darfur.

UXOs are explosive weapons (bombs, bullets, shells, grenades, land 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.

Two brothers from Dar Al Salam, North Darfur, also suffered the consequences of the UXOs. Musa Fatul (17 years old) and his brother Suleiman (10) suffered burns to more than 90 per cent of their bodies when they detonated a device in their hometown in November 2006. They were planning to fire the explosive to celebrate the victory of their football team, but they didn't expect the tragic consequences. One of their friends was killed in the incident. Now, with their faces, arms and legs visibly affected, they blame themselves and advise many other children to avoid any kind of suspicious objects that they may find on the ground.

4 April is International Day of Mine Awareness. In Darfur, as a consequence of the ongoing conflict, UXOs present a serious risk for civilians, especially children.

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Harum Ali, 17 years old from Mellit, North Darfur, poses in his uncle's house in El Fasher. Photo by Albert González Farran.