Help Ukraine Heal
Support Craig Colwell's fundraiser for The HALO Trust
The HALO Trust protects lives in communities affected by war – even where fighting is ongoing. We clear landmines, remove deadly explosives, and teach families how to stay safe so that families can return home, children can reach school safely, and farmers can grow food again without risking their lives. With 98% of our 12,000 staff hired locally, we work side by side with communities to save lives and restore hope.
Clear landmines. Save lives. Create lasting change for families in Ukraine.
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Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, landmines and explosives have devastated Ukraine's communities. Roads, homes, schoolyards, and farmlands are contaminated with hidden dangers.
- Over 2 million landmines may have been laid.
- The area needing to be surveyed is larger than the entire country of Greece.
- Farmers can't plant. Children can't play. Families can't return home.
We work across Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Donetsk, and beyond.
In towns across Ukraine, homes and schools lie in ruins – many still surrounded by landmines and unexploded bombs. Before rebuilding can begin, the land must be made safe.
HALO uses specialized equipment to clear land faster and more safely. Mechanical assets like this one are essential in large, heavily contaminated minefields.
Farming equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars has been destroyed by landmines. The danger doesn't end with the fighting – even fields once used for food production are now deadly.
Watch our video to see how HALO is saving lives and transforming communities in Ukraine
HALO's Ukrainian staff have conducted mine clearance in the eastern regions of Kramatorsk and Mariupol since 2015. At the start of the Russian offensive in February 2022 we were embedded in communities and uniquely positioned to respond rapidly to the crisis, coordinating an emergency response, including the delivery of life-saving risk education.
Our local Ukrainian teams are:
Locating and removing landmines and explosives
Our locally-trained teams work inch by inch, using metal detectors and protective gear to find, mark, and safely destroy hidden landmines, cluster bombs, and other deadly explosives – clearing the way for homes, farms, and schools to be used safely again.
Teaching families how to stay safe
We visit schools, farms, and community centers to teach adults and children how to recognize explosives and what to do if they find one – life-saving knowledge that reduces accidents and saves lives in contaminated areas.
Surveying communities to assess contamination
Before we can clear land, we must understand where the danger is. Our staff conduct interviews, analyze strike data, and walk the land to map out hazardous areas, helping prioritize clearance and guide communities on what’s safe.
Pioneering new technology to make clearance faster and safer
We're using drones, satellite imagery, and advanced data tools to pinpoint contaminated areas and speed up clearance. Innovation means we can reach more people, save more lives, and make land safe faster.
A Message from Craig Colwell:
“In a world where wars may end on paper but continue in the lives of those affected, HALO steps in to finish what peace agreements alone cannot: the work of truly making land livable again.”
"I support The HALO Trust because their mission goes beyond clearing landmines - it restores safety, dignity, and opportunity to communities devastated by conflict. HALO empowers local people, prevents injuries, revives economies, and helps families rebuild. That kind of impact is immediate, tangible, and enduring."
Craig is the founder and CEO of MomentumXR, a mixed reality media company. His career has spanned national security, finance, and technology - including service in the U.S. House of Representatives and field visits to conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Angola, and the Nicaragua border. His experience has shaped a deep commitment to HALO’s life-saving mission.
Craig is fundraising to support HALO's critical work in Ukraine.
Every gift makes a difference. Give what you can – or consider giving from assets like stocks, crypto, or donor-advised funds for greater impact.
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Donate by check and mail to:
Photos from HALO's operations in Kharkiv Oblast, where our teams are clearing minefields and helping communities reclaim their land.
*Mobile users: swipe to see the photo gallery*
Lisa.Balestrieri@halousa.org
or call +1 (202) 331-1266.
