Strong women save lives: Hiba’s Story
When the war in Syria finally grew quiet, danger did not disappear.
Explosives were left behind in fields, villages, and homes—hidden reminders of fourteen years of conflict. Children found them while playing. Farmers uncovered them while working the land. Families lived with fear, never knowing what lay beneath their feet.
That's when Hiba Kadaa stepped forward.
Answering the call
Hiba lives in northern Syria with her husband and children. She is also a master’s student in physics. Nearly four years ago, she made a difficult choice: to become a deminer with The HALO Trust.
“After a war that lasted for fourteen years, there was a strong need for people to enter this field,” she says. “I was among those who did.”
Every day, Hiba puts on her protective vest and visor and responds to urgent calls from communities who have found unexploded bombs. She now leads a HALO team, responsible not only for destroying explosives, but for keeping her colleagues—and entire villages—safe.
When her team arrives at a site, Hiba listens carefully to the person who made the call. She learns what happened there during the war. Then she approaches the explosive herself.
On this day, the threat was an 82mm mortar.
She instructs the team to evacuate the area and sets up a cordon to prevent anyone from getting too close. Carefully, she approaches the explosives with a spool of detonation cord and some TNT. She places the charge and returns to the firing point. Once final checks are done, she counts: “Three, two, one, fire,” and the blast from the explosion can be felt underfoot.
After destroying the explosives reported today, she checks the site to make sure that no danger remains. A handful of shrapnel is scattered around the small crater, and the tail of the 82mm mortar is left lying on the surface of the red soil.
One step to safety, another step for hope
For Hiba, this work is deeply personal. Nearly half of those injured or killed by mines and explosives in Syria are children. Hiba's own cousin, who was just 9 years old, recently died while playing with a bomb the child thought was a toy.
Despite everything Syria has endured, Hiba is hopeful. She says what motivates her most is seeing the relief on people’s faces. Parents knowing their children can play safely again.
She dreams of a future where no one has to fear what lies hidden in the soil. Until that day comes, Hiba will keep returning to the frontlines, protecting lives and helping her country heal—one bomb safely destroyed at a time.
When I hear the explosion from a controlled detonation, I feel great pride... Because I have destroyed something that could have caused tragedy for a family.
Support from private donors is critical to our mission. At this time, The HALO Trust and The HALO Trust (USA), Inc are unable to accept online donations designated for Syria through our website. To make a donation to support our work in Syria, you can mail a check to The HALO Trust USA, 1730 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, Suite 206; Washington, DC 20036. To donate by bank transfer, stock, or for other ways to give, please contact us at donorservices@halousa.org.
The HALO Trust conducts operations in Syria in strict accordance with US sanctions policies. HALO’s program, focused on the Mine Risk Education and unexploded ordnance disposal, is covered by the general licenses included in 31 CFR §542.516. Specific authorizations include activities to support humanitarian projects (31 C.F.R. 542.516(a)(1)) and activities to support education in Syria (31 C.F.R. §542.516(a)(3)), and general license at 542.516(b) which allows the processing of remittances and transactions subject to the authorizations under subsection (a).
HALO is deeply committed to maintaining compliance with US sanctions policy and all other legal requirements. For any additional information on our compliance processes, please contact us at mail@halousa.org
