After the death of tyrant leader Colonel Gaddafi and months of fighting in their cities, children affected by the conflict in Libya are finally returning to their homes. But a hidden danger remains in the streets where they play…

What is the danger for children in Libya? 

Weapons including land mines are buried in the ground and designed to explode when someone accidentally treads on them. Small unexploded bombs called grenades can also explode if moved or tampered with.

During times of conflict, explosive weapons are used to slow down an enemy invasion, or re-direct fighting to a different area. If they are not removed, they can remain dangerous for many years.

Mohamed’s story

15-year-old Mohamed was playing football outside his house in Libya when he noticed a strange object on the floor. When he looked closer, he realised the object was part of a rifle grenade.

Mohamed did not know the object was very dangerous. Excited by his discovery, he picked the weapon up and took it home to show his brothers.

Two days later, the rifle grenade exploded in Mohamed’s bedroom, hurting him very badly.

After four operations, Mohamed is recovering in hospital, but he has lost most of one hand and he has injuries across his body.

“Everyone in the area knows about this accident and everyone now tells their children not to touch these things,” says Mohamed’s father, Abdul. “We didn’t before, but we certainly do now.”

Why was a dangerous weapon in the street?

Children playing football in the UK would never come across a dangerous weapon like the one found by Mohamed.

Mohamed lives in a city called Misrata, which has been almost completely destroyed by the conflict that has been taking place in Libya for over six months.

The fighting in Misrata has now stopped, but explosive devices have been left all over the city.

What is the UK doing to help?

UK aid is helping to protect more than one million people in Libya from the threat of unexploded weapons, by supporting an organisation called MAG (Mines Advisory Group) to find and destroy them safely.

With the UK’s support, experts from MAG are travelling around Libya to identify areas where there are unexploded weapons, and to put up signs warning people to stay away. Then they work quickly to destroy the weapons safely. 

The UK also is supporting MAG’s work to teach children living in the most dangerous areas of Libya about the risk of unexploded weapons.

“Public information will help to prevent children treating shells and grenades as toys and trophies – something that we have already seen can have tragic results,” said Andrew Mitchell, the UK’s International Development Secretary.

The work to clear the deadly leftovers of Libya’s conflict, and to teach children about the dangers of unexploded weapons, will help to prevent tragic accidents – like the ones that injured Mohamed and Sulah – from happening again.