HALO calls for funding to save lives worldwide
In April, HALO USA submitted Public Witness Testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs in support of global Conventional Weapons Destruction programs.
In the testimony, HALO requested an appropriation of $271.703 million for the State Department’s Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) account, including $80 million for programs in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, in the FY27 State Department budget. The Conventional Weapons Destruction account funds humanitarian demining, risk education, weapons security, and related programs in nearly 40 countries worldwide.
HALO’s testimony also detailed the impacts of landmines and other explosives on civilian communities worldwide – landmines still threaten people in 60 countries, and the latest Landmine Monitor Report reported 6,300 people killed or injured by explosives (90% of them civilians) in 2024, the highest rate since 2020. Nearly 50% of these casualties were children. CWD programs, carried out by HALO and other implementing partners, save countless civilian lives and allow communities to recover from conflict.
At the same time, State Department CWD programs support U.S. national security and foreign policy goals – making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. HALO’s testimony also detailed how CWD programs remove explosives to protect U.S. troops, embassy staff, and other Americans working in or visiting current or former conflict zones; secure weapons to keep them out of the hands of dangerous terrorist, trafficking, and other criminal groups that drive international crime and violence; build security partnerships around the world, including areas where the U.S. is competing with China and Russia for access and influence, and promote American soft power; and enable conflict-affected countries to access agricultural land and natural resources again, creating investment opportunities for American companies and driving down global food prices.
HALO is grateful for Congress’ historic support for Conventional Weapons Destruction and for the opportunity to submit this testimony to the appropriations committee.
