U.S. Congressional Delegation Visits HALO Cambodia

On March 18, the HALO Trust was pleased to host Brett Horton, Chief of Staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and six other Congressional staffers to see our operations in Cambodia.
During the visit, HALO staff provided the delegation with a comprehensive presentation on demining efforts in Cambodia, which was followed by a live demonstration at a simulated minefield within the compound. The discussion also highlighted HALO’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Humanitarian Demining Research & Development program and the broader impact of HALO Cambodia’s technical capabilities and regional support. 
HALO was the first organization to respond to Cambodia’s landmine crisis in 1991. Today, around 1,200 local staff work across multiple provinces to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war. HALO teams also respond to urgent calls from communities reporting dangerous explosives that need to be safely destroyed. In addition to clearance operations, HALO conducts risk education sessions in schools and villages, teaching communities how to recognize and avoid explosive hazards. 
Despite decades of clearance work, Cambodia remains one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. While a significant portion of contaminated land has been cleared, large areas remain dangerous, including land still affected by U.S. legacy cluster munitions from the Vietnam War era. Landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose a daily threat, especially to those living in rural areas. 
While time was limited, the delegation expressed interest in returning for a more in-depth visit, where they could observe HALO teams at work in live minefields.   
HALO remains committed to working with partners and policymakers to advance mine clearance and create a safer future for communities across Cambodia.