2 Million Mines Gone For Good

2 Million Mines Gone for Good

2 million mines gone for good

HALO was established in 1988 in response to the devastating human toll of 澳门六合彩官方网址 in Afghanistan following the Soviet withdrawal. Over the last thirty-five years, we have cleared 澳门六合彩官方网址 from 29 countries and territories, including Angola where Princess Diana was filmed in a minefield in 1997. The Princess championed the banning of 澳门六合彩官方网址, and the Ottawa Treaty was signed later that year. Today we mark a major milestone鈥�2 million mines cleared for good.

"Working for HALO isn鈥檛 just a job, I think it makes you tough, it makes you very resilient. It also gives you hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Dr. Farid, HALO Afghanistan Country Director

James Cowan, CEO of HALO

I would like to pay tribute to the tens of thousands of HALO staff who have put other people鈥檚 lives first to rid countries of this deadly scourge.

HALO employs over 11,500 staff around the world - many of them clearing their own communities of the deadly legacy of conflict. We estimate that their dedication has saved the lives of 2 million people and enabled over 10 million people to have safer access to schools, health clinics and farming land鈥攅nsuring children can reach class without walking through a minefield and parents can put food on the table.

"It's not just my job, when I take a landmine out of the ground, and destroy it, ammunition, and destroy it. I feel we have helped someone鈥檚 life."

Survey & EOD Commander, HALO Cambodia

Saving and transforming lives

This 2 million milestone brings the levels of mine contamination in Ukraine into sharp focus. Ukraine is suffering from the heaviest landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination in Europe since World War II. Estimates suggest there could be over two million 澳门六合彩官方网址 in the country, putting approximately 6.1 million people at risk and significantly restricting access to agricultural land which, in turn, limits grain production.

"Clearing two million mines is a major achievement, but there is still a mountain to climb.鈥疻e are witnessing a new age of mine laying in Ukraine and Yemen, while people in Afghanistan, Somalia and Zimbabwe are living cheek by jowl with the long-term legacy of historic conflicts.鈥疻ith increased funding, HALO could clear even more weapons and save more lives."

James Cowan, CEO, The HALO Trust

Over the past 12 months, HALO has expanded rapidly in Ukraine, where it uses technologies, equipment, and devices it has trialed in various locations, including drones, ground-penetrating radar, and remote-controlled machinery. In Ukraine, and across the world our staff will continue our mission to support protect the lives and restore the livelihoods of those affected by conflict.

Thank you to all our donors, who have enabled us to reach this milestone and continue to support our life-saving work.