On September 5th, The HALO Trust (USA), along with 4 other Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) Implementing Partners and supporters of demining programs worldwide, submitted a letter to the House Foreign Affairs Committee encouraging the use of language authorizing CWD programs in the 2025 State Department Authorization Act.
The letter called for the inclusion of authorization language that both highlights the importance of demining efforts and further authorizes weapons security programs with partner nations. These programs save lives, enable populations displaced by conflict to safely return to their homes, prevent unplanned ammunition depot explosions, and prevent the diversion of weapons and ammunition from partners’ weapons stockpiles to terrorists, insurgents, and other non-state actors. They also show strength and promote leadership abroad and deepen U.S. diplomatic ties to countries and regions of security importance.
The letter also supported the authorization of a CWD-related briefing and direction to the State Department to report on CWD program activities, outcomes, and partners to better educate Congress on these programs and ensure effective oversight.
Signatories of the letter include: The HALO Trust (USA), Mines Advisory Group (MAG) U.S., Legacies of War, PeaceTrees Vietnam, and Humanity & Inclusion U.S.
Read the full letter here.
