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  • What we do

    • What we do

    • Our work

      • Our work

      • Clearing explosives

      • Managing weapons and ammunition

      • Teaching safety

      • Responding to crisis

      • Empowering women

      • Protecting the environment

    Our work

    • Clearing explosives
    • Managing weapons and ammunition
    • Teaching safety
    • Responding to crisis
    • Empowering women
    • Protecting the environment
  • Where we work

    • Where we work

    • Africa

      • Africa

      • Angola

      • Ethiopia

      • Malawi

      • Mozambique

      • Somalia and Somaliland

      • Zimbabwe

      • Nigeria

      • Ghana

      • Cote D’Ivoire

      • Mauritania

      • Togo

      • Kenya

      • Guinea Bissau

    • Europe & Caucasus

      • Europe & Caucasus

      • Kosovo

      • Nagorno Karabakh

      • Ukraine

      • Moldova

    • Asia

      • Asia

      • Afghanistan

      • Cambodia

      • Laos

      • Myanmar

      • Solomon Islands

      • Sri Lanka

    • Latin America

      • Latin America

      • Colombia

      • El Salvador

      • Guatemala

      • Honduras

    • Middle East

      • Middle East

      • Libya

      • Syria

      • West Bank

      • Yemen

      • Iraq

    Africa

    • Angola
    • Ethiopia
    • Malawi
    • Mozambique
    • Somalia and Somaliland
    • Zimbabwe
    • Nigeria
    • Ghana
    • Cote D’Ivoire
    • Mauritania
    • Togo
    • Kenya
    • Guinea Bissau

    Europe & Caucasus

    • Kosovo
    • Nagorno Karabakh
    • Ukraine
    • Moldova

    Asia

    • Afghanistan
    • Cambodia
    • Laos
    • Myanmar
    • Solomon Islands
    • Sri Lanka

    Latin America

    • Colombia
    • El Salvador
    • Guatemala
    • Honduras

    Middle East

    • Libya
    • Syria
    • West Bank
    • Yemen
    • Iraq
  • About us

    • About us

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      • History of HALO

      • Leadership team

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    • Governance

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      • Trustees

      • Reports

    Who we are

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    Governance

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    • Reports
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Clearing landmines and explosives

Landmines, cluster bombs and other explosives inflict appalling injuries that have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Over 5,700 civilians were killed or injured by landmines and explosives in 2023.

Clearing landmines is the essential first step in rebuilding lives after conflict. The fighting may be over but as long as explosives are in the ground, people in war-torn countries continue to live in fear. They can’t return home, plant crops, fetch water or let their children walk to school.

The HALO Trust makes land safe by clearing landmines and other explosives so families torn apart by conflict can return home and rebuild their lives in safety.

A PAINSTAKING PROCESS

Clearing landmines is a painstaking process. Most of our clearance work is done by hand but sometimes the terrain and nature of the debris makes clearing with machines more practical.

We work in partnership with the local communities we serve. We employ local people, creating jobs and helping families get back on their feet. We provide landmine victims with the support they need to heal their wounds, regain their independence and live with dignity.

"I have lived in Calacoque since 1983 – I remember the army camp that was based here during the war. Now the landmines surrounding my field are being cleared, I will be able to grow enough food to sell at market so I can support my family."

Evaristo, Calacoque, Angola

Facts about landmines

  • Designed to explode instantly when stepped on or driven over
  • Banned by 160 countries under the 1997 Landmine Ottawa Ban Convention. See current members
  • 60 million people in nearly 70 countries are directly affected by landmines
  • Most severely affected countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Iraq, Libya, Sri Lanka, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen and Zimbabwe
  • Millions of factory-produced landmines laid in the late 20th century remain active
  • Homemade or improvised explosive devices are increasingly used
  • Improvised explosive devices (IED) are classified as landmines if victim-initiated
  • Most landmine-affected countries require external assistance to remove explosives

Mine clearance safety

HALO takes safety very seriously and a number of aspects are in place to protect our staff:

  • Rigorous safety standards and procedures, approved by the national authority of each country eg blast-proof PPE, safety distances
  • Regular, unannounced safety inspections by national authorities
  • Medical Board overseeing casualty evacuation procedures and staff health issues
  • Regular field visits by the Medical Board to give training and monitor safety standards

Despite our robust measures, accidents inevitably occur when handling deadly explosives. If an unplanned detonation takes place we take these steps

  • Thorough internal investigation
  • Engage independent investigators for serious accidents or injury
  • Update operating procedures with safety improvements

HALO's fatality rate is in line with other mine clearance operators.

In 2018, to mark our 30th anniversary, we held a multi-faith service of remembrance for everyone who has died in HALO's service. We also commemorate our fallen colleagues every year on World Humanitarian Day. We remain indebted to them all for their courage in working to make others safe.

Clear a landmine, save a life

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CARRONFOOT, THORNHILL, DUMFRIES, DG3 5BF

The HALO Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 2228587. Registered Charity No. 1001813 and (in Scotland) SC037870. Registered Office: One Bartholomew Close, Barts Square, London EC1A 7BL

The HALO Trust (USA), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization US Federal Tax ID Number 52-2158152
Office: 1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 206, Washington, DC 20036 

By registering for our updates, or making a donation to us, you expressly agree to your information being used by The HALO Trust and The HALO Trust (USA), Inc. in accordance with our privacy protection policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

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