Teaching health and safety
The pervasive threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) extends far beyond immediate injury, creating a complex public health crisis in post-conflict regions. These hidden dangers are a critical barrier to human safety and development, with severe consequences for health and well-being.
Our core work, which is centered on clearing land, directly addresses this crisis by mitigating three key public health issues: disability and death, malnutrition, and access to healthcare. By making communities safe, we pave the way for people to live without fear of devastating injuries, cultivate their land for sustenance, and reach the essential medical care they need to thrive. This comprehensive approach ensures that our efforts not only remove a physical threat but also rebuild the foundations of a healthy society.
Disability and death
According to the Landmine Monitor, in 2022, at least 4,710 casualties of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) were recorded (1,661 killed and 3,015 injured). Landmines can lead to severe disabilities and the loss of limbs, affecting both the physical and mental health of their victims.
Malnutrition
According to Action Against Hunger, as of 2024, 733 million people are malnourished worldwide, with conflict as a key driver. Landmines make land cultivation dangerous for people who rely on subsistence farming. Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) present a significant threat to human safety and development in post-conflict regions.
Access to Health Clinics
By destroying existing medical facilities and making it difficult for necessary health services to safely reach rural and secluded areas, landmines and UXO prevent local communities from receiving the critical healthcare they need.
Victim Assistance
Across the world, HALO partners with organizations and clinics to provide prosthetics and other medical care to those who have become disabled due to a landmine or UXO incident. Humanitarian demining is more than reducing post war injuries. It also builds the conditions for a stable peace and a robust prosperity. Improving the whole public health is as important as eliminating individual threats.
Access to Basic Health Care
By destroying existing medical facilities and making it difficult for necessary health services to safely reach rural and secluded areas, landmines and UXO prevent local communities from receiving the critical healthcare they need. When landmines and UXO are finally cleared from an area, it opens up transportation access for healthcare professionals to reach rural communities that have been unable to receive treatment.
First Aid Responder Training
HALO provides Community First Aid Responder Training which aims to teach basic first aid in landmine affected villages and communities. HALO trains civilians in mine-prone areas (e.g., Syria) in first aid and trauma care. Many civilians lack basic life-saving skills, and delayed medical response often leads to fatalities. Simple training can save lives in conflict zones.
Mental Health Support
We prioritize mental health by providing our Trauma Risk Managment (TRiM) initiative. This program enhances mental health support for deminers and in the communities we operate. HALO supports deminers affected by Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) like colleague deaths and security incidents by creating a peer support system, risk assessments and psychological support/self-care advice.
Health Education
HALO provides education and development of its medical national staff by offering specialized training. HALO improves medical care standards by providing specialized training and qualifications for HALO’s medics and Regional Chief Medic Workshops in 5 different regions such as Africa, Latin America, South East Asia, Europe (Ukraine) and in the Middle East.
Initiatives for Women's Health
Women face unique health challenges, particularly in post-conflict regions. HALO's initiatives provide resources, knowledge, and support to help women manage their health with dignity at every stage of life. From equipping staff with hygiene kits and training, to supporting mothers returning to work, to offering comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health, our programs empower women and strengthen communities.
Hygiene Kits
Menstrual health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, yet it's often a source of significant challenges for many. To promote a supportive and inclusive workplace, we are providing staff with personal hygiene kits and comprehensive training.
Maternal health support
Female staff returning to work after childbirth frequently face logistical and financial strain. HALO programs in Angola, Laos, Sri Lanka, and the Horn of Africa are addressing this through the provision of baby boxes with essential newborn supplies and nutritional supplements for young mothers.
Women's Health Education
HALO's commitment to the well-being of communities extends to providing critical health education for women. We believe that empowering women with knowledge is essential for fostering healthier, more resilient communities.
Our tailored health training sessions, developed in response to direct feedback from internal surveys, cover a range of vital topics. These sessions include menstrual health and management, offering practical guidance and destigmatizing a fundamental part of women's lives. We also cover the key life stages of menarche and menopause, providing women with the information they need to navigate these transitions with confidence. Additionally, our programs address sexual health, including education on STIs and STDs, and equip women with the tools and resources to combat gender-based violence.
Resources like personal hygiene kits equip employees with the resources and knowledge needed to manage their personal health with confidence and dignity, both at work and in their daily lives. A training session covers the proper use of the kit's contents, and a follow-up sewing class teaches them to maintain, repair, and even create their own kit components. This empowers them to take control of their health and share this valuable knowledge with others.
Stories From the Field
Our work with explosives is dangerous, but minefield accidents are thankfully rare. We train local staff as paramedics and they play an important role in every HALO team. Their work is governed by standards and policies, which are set by HALO's medical board.
This Work is Made Possible by Our Partners
