The HALO Trust
Survey policy
Correct survey is vital for follow-on accurate, properly costed and effective mineclearance.
Where HALO differs from most other mine action agencies is in our determination that HALO surveys should only be conducted by senior HALO staff with mineclearance experience, and that we should not rely on temporary staff brought in to conduct socio-economic questionnaires. The latter have a tendency to produce vague “Big Hand, Small Map” results that then prohibit or skew accurate clearance planning – and can only be rectified by yet more survey or other exercises in correcting the information. HALO believes accurate initial survey is far better.
While HALO will endeavour to “mark” minefields, it is our experience that most marking material is removed by local people and then used for livestock fencing, patching up holes in roofs etc. Minefield “marking” is far easier “said than done”.
Prioritization for follow-on clearance, or “planning”, can vary from country to country, season to season. A wide variety of factors come into play – such as expected refugee movement, casualty reduction and prevention, agricultural planting and grazing seasons, vital access to water supplies or markets, national or local government infrastructure priorities, ground conditions and weather constraints. All senior staff in HALO are thoroughly trained in prioritization skills.
HALO has written a paper on Getting the Survey Right, to try and clarify how surveys should be conducted. See the link below:
