As featured in 60 Minutes, see how our efforts in Ukraine and worldwide are saving lives every day. Read on to uncover the types of threats we eliminate and more about HALO's work in action.
Did you know… bombs from World War II are still killing civilians today?
HALO teams are not only clearing mines laid in present or active conflicts but also mines from past wars that were dropped decades ago. A rusty old grenade or landmine can still be just as dangerous decades later— and sometimes even more volatile. Today, some 60 million people in nearly 70 countries and territories worldwide still live with the risk of landmines and deadly explosives. Every year more than 5,500 people are killed or maimed by landmines; most are civilians and half are children.
**In 2022 alone *According to figures from the United Nations
Did you know… there are more than 30 types of landmines in Ukraine alone?
There are currently more than 600 different types of landmines! This doesn’t even count the many improvised mines made by forces engaged in fighting around the world. These landmines are all grouped into two broad categories: Anti-Personnel (AP) and Anti-Vehicle (AV) mines, which are also commonly referred to as Anti-Tank mines.
“Before we dispose of [IEDs], we need to know how they’re comprised. Generally speaking, they're all comprised of the same constituent parts. There’s that switch of some sort, either a pressure plate or a clock, a timer. There’s a detonator that is needed to initiate what we call the main charge, and that main charge is typically high explosive. Either that they’ve manufactured locally, or it’s been harvested from munitions and other ordnance from around the battlefield. And then typically, a power source of some sort. In this instance, it would’ve been a 9-volt battery.”
- Pete Smith, Program Manager, HALO Ukraine
Listen to this episode of Beyond Bombs with JJ Chalmers to get insight on different types of explosive threats from HALO experts. Pete Smith, HALO Ukraine Program Manager, walks us through the makeup and use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), while colleague Amy Duncan explains how a new landmine specifically designed to penetrate body armor and sense human presence has been used by Russia in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Fiona Kilpatrick talks about the challenges in destroying very large explosive items— in this case, a 750lb aircraft bomb buried in a remote village for over 50 years.
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In the Media
HALO on: NBC News
Two years after the Russian invasion, landmines plague one-third of Ukraine.
HALO in: UKRINFORM
From hairdressers to deminers: how The HALO Trust is demining Mykolaiv region.
HALO in: WIRED
Discover The Danger Lurking Just Below Ukraine’s Surface.
Did you know… HALO has found more than 2 million mines?
Help us clear 2 million more! Join us on our mission towards a safer tomorrow, one landmine at a time. Landmine clearance is the essential first step after war and conflict so that refugee families can return home, communities can rebuild, and people can go back to their normal lives.
You can help HALO take the first step by supporting our efforts:
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DONATE today and join us in giving life back to communities. A small monthly donation of $5 can make a huge impact on a HALO program.
- TAKE ACTION today and urge your Representatives to support humanitarian demining. Write a letter to your Representatives in under one minute.
HALO protects lives not just by destroying landmines but also by teaching people, particularly children, how to stay safe until our work is done. We also work with local partners in countries like Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Laos to ensure that landmine victims receive the support they need to regain their independence and live with dignity. Learn more about HALO's survivor's assistance and risk education work.
