House Committee backs increased demining funds

Last Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee included $271.703 million for humanitarian demining and related programs in the FY27 State Department budget. This is a $6.7 million increase from FY26 and, if included in the final budget, would enable HALO and other State Department partners to continue our lifesaving demining, UXO clearance, and weapons security work around the globe.

The committee-approved legislation also includes $80 million for clearing explosives in Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, which would save lives, support diplomacy, and strengthen U.S. presence and leadership in a region where China is also competing for access and influence. The proposed FY27 budget also includes increased funding for demining and related programs in Angola, where landmine clearance is facilitating both environmental conservation and the development of the Lobito Corridor, as well as Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and the Middle East. The report also includes continued funding at the FY26 level to clear UXO from the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea and $2.5 million for the Solomon Islands. 

The House Appropriations Committee also directed the State Department to explore the possibility of supporting explosive ordnance risk education in Burma, as well as humanitarian support for victims of landmines and other explosives. In 2025, Burma recorded the world’s highest number of landmine casualties for the second year in a row.

HALO is grateful to the House Appropriations Committee, the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee, and Committee and NSRP Subcommittee leadership for their support. The budget will now advance to the House floor for a House-wide vote. 

Read the full FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs report here.