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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

To address this, HALO, with partners PENHA Network, launched a land rehabilitation project. Over 600 soil ponds were built across 60 hectares to capture rainwater and support the return of vegetation on 3 demined sites. Thank you to 🇩🇪 @germany.diplo.de for funding this vital work.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Changing weather has led to land degradation, reduced water and biodiversity loss in Somaliland. Landmines further impact agriculture and clearance is often a first step in restoring land & livelihoods, though clearance can also impact the environment as vegetation is removed.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 25/06/2025

For decades, #Jaffna was littered with landmines and cut off. We’ve been in #SriLanka since 2002 and have now cleared 300,000 mines, allowing the north of the island to open to tourists. As we celebrate our local deminers' incredible progress, join us on a tour of Jaffna, Sri Lanka's hidden gem:

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

We're there, responding to a high volume of callouts from local people, safely destroying explosives and offering advice on how to stay safe. Given the scale of contamination and volume of casualties, we urgently need to scale our team up to 400 deminers to clear all of Syria.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

#Syria: Since the Assad regime fell last year, mine accidents have killed or injured over 1,000 people. Tragically, the true count may be much higher. Almost two million people who fled conflict in Syria have returned home to find their towns, villages and fields contaminated with deadly ordnance.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Clearing unexploded ordnance is key to saving lives, allowing refugees to return home safely, protecting livelihoods and aiding economic recovery. As we pay tribute to the #WWII dead, we also acknowledge the work of HALO staff, who are clearing the deadly remnants of war every day across the world.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Today is #VEDay80, marking 80 years since the end of #WWII in Europe. While VE Day saw a huge outpouring of joy, we know from our experience of clearing conflict zones all over the world that the threat of unexploded bombs, mines and munitions lives on long after the fighting stops.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

In 2020, HALO cleared mines from Christ's Baptism Site on the banks of the River Jordan, allowing worshippers to safely return to a site that had been abandoned for 50 years. We were honoured that Pope Francis acknowledged our work, as we mourn his passing and thank him for his commitment to peace.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

🎥 “#Syria is at a crossroads." "There’s a huge opportunity for HALO and everyone in the sector to make a massive difference in the lives of Syrians and really address the problem of mine contamination at scale.” HALO’s Nick Torbet, speaking from the 🇨🇭 #NDMUN28 Mine Action Conference:

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 09/04/2025

This week, we’re in 🇨🇭 Geneva for the #NDMUN28 Mine Action Conference. Today, we’re hosting a side event with @undp.org, @unep.org and @germany.diplo.de, discussing how demining operators can best support reconstruction in urban environments devastated by conflict. ➡️ bit.ly/3G0Af0i

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

🧵(2/2): Over the following decades, HALO cleared thousands of landmines. The minefield where Diana walked is now home to a school named in her honour. HALO has worked in Angola since 1994, clearing entire cities, provinces, railways and airports, bringing prosperity to millions.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

🧵(1/2): Today, a delegation of ambassadors will trace Princess Diana's footsteps in Huambo, 🇦🇴 Angola, where HALO’s demining has transformed the area beyond recognition. In 1997, Diana walked through what was a minefield. It was a walk that forced the world to sit up and take notice.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

As well as all aspects of EOD training, team members also train as paramedics. We thank our donors for our current funding, but urgently need to grow our team from 40 to 400-500 deminers to clear the country and save more lives. We estimate that will cost around $40m a year.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

HALO Syria’s Programme Manager, Damian O’Brien said: “This intensive three-week course has prepared Syrian staff to join our expanded EOD operations." "It's a great achievement and shows HALO’s commitment to building local capacity that can help people safely return home.”

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

12 HALO staff have successfully completed Explosive Ordnance (EOD) training in #Syria. Thanks to @germany.diplo.de funding, those staff will begin their life-saving work next month - protecting communities who are returning home to find their land contaminated with deadly explosives.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 25/03/2025

The German Foreign Office (GFFO - @germany.diplo.de) supports HALO with a €5M grant to boost demining in #Syria. Our CEO James Cowan said: “We're extremely grateful to the GFFO. As millions of Syrians return, this funding will help avoid deaths and injuries." Read more ➡️ bit.ly/4c1Y8R4

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

HALO Global Ambassador Josh Kennedy-White visited #Afghanistan to witness our work first-hand. In this LinkedIn article, Josh reflects on a land that "bears the deep scars of past conflicts," where HALO's clearance work is a vital first step for a safer, more prosperous future. ➡️ bit.ly/4iUHgOg

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

🎥 Three years of war in #Ukraine has left huge amounts of land contaminated with deadly mines and explosives. HALO will continue to make the land safe so families can return home and farmers can grow grain - building a more secure future for the people of Ukraine:

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

🎥 Whatever the future holds for #Ukraine, The HALO Trust will be at the cutting edge of mine clearance technology - keeping farmers and families safe and paving the way for a more secure and prosperous future. ⬇️

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

A rising star saving lives in Angola. ✨ Rita Vambe's journey with HALO began as a deminer before she rose to the role of Sub-unit Commander, leading teams to make land safe for communities in Cuito Cuanavale. "I joined HALO to help rid my country of landmines," says Rita.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

UK investment in Benguela, #Angola, is helping drive growth and development – all made possible by HALO's work. Between 2007-08, HALO cleared mines from Catumbela Airport, paving the way for economic development and progress. Today, Benguela is thriving: bit.ly/3EI0ZSt

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

🧵(1/2) Landmine crisis spirals in Syria. ⚠️ Displaced people are returning home to find their land contaminated with deadly explosives. In the past week alone, 39 adults and 8 children have died in accidents involving mines and explosives - figures likely to be a serious underestimate.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

HALO welcomed Catherine West to Sri Lanka to learn more about our vital work. UK funding has been key to HALO’s efforts to remove explosives following the civil war, allowing displaced people to return home safely and rebuild their lives. With thanks to the British High Commission in Sri Lanka.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

HALO Afghanistan was delighted to host Dr. Mirdef Ali Al-Qashouti, acting Qatari Charge D'affaires to Afghanistan. We discussed the challenges of removing deadly explosives and demonstrated the use of body armour and various pieces of equipment. With thanks to the Qatar Embassy in Kabul.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

🧵2/2: In 2024 HALO began clearance. The land was later declared safe and released back to Kiddan’s family. By July, they'd moved back home, ending 30 years of uncertainty. Our work means land can be transformed to offer safety, security and opportunities for future generations.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

🧵1/2: “We never thought we’d get our land back. Having our own land allows us to look to the future with hope,” says Kiddan Mangalaeswaran from Muhamalai, Sri Lanka. For decades, Kiddan's land in Muhamalai was inaccessible, due to the presence of mines from the civil war.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

🎥 "It's been so exciting to see HALO's work, which is changing lives right around the world." Thank you to International Development Minister Anneliese Dodds for visiting our Scottish HQ today, as the UK government are set to to provide £7m in new funding for our life-saving our work.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Supporting recovery in 🇱🇾 #Libya. HALO teams recently cleared a second bunker in as many months at the Misrata Air College, where a series of explosions took place in 2020. Our work in aiding Misrata’s recovery is made possible by funding from the US State Department and other partners.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

"There's a huge amount of mines - tragically there have been cases of entire families being wiped out. HALO only has 40 deminers on the ground." HALO's Mouiad Alnofaly calls for a "huge international effort" for funding mine clearance in #Syria. 🎧 BBC Sounds: ➡️ www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

We welcome David Lammy’s strong commitment to tackling rising global conflict. HALO is at the frontline, responding to challenges arising from conflict - we look forward to working closely with FCDO to build safer and more prosperous lives in places affected by conflict: www.gov.uk/government/s...

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visiting HALO Laos in July 2024

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

HALO's Mouiad Alnofaly said: “Syria’s war has left a deadly legacy. We estimate a demining and explosives disposal operation of $40m would save thousands of lives.” With funding for only 40 deminers, HALO is overwhelmed with emergency calls as Syrian families beg for assistance.

A map showing locations of some of the deadly explosions in Syria over the past month

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 09/01/2025

A rising star in Angola! 🌟 Jussara has risen through the ranks at HALO, from deminer to medic, team leader and now supervisor. Protecting citizens is exactly what motivates her: “I'm happy that my province Benguela is now free of mines. I’m proud that I could help the clearance with my own work."

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Training for veterans in #Ukraine. 💙 HALO Ukraine recently welcomed participants of a pilot scheme launched by @undp.org for veterans injured by explosives. The training focuses on using drones to collect and analyse imagery for clearing mines, offering opportunities in humanitarian work. 🙏

Injured veterans receive training on using drones

The training will offer opportunities in humanitarian work

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Valeriia, a Field Officer with HALO Ukraine, has held a variety of roles with us since 2020. After training in Angola she is now back in Ukraine managing clearance teams. At the centre of what we do is a dedicated, skilled and courageous workforce and we're proud of Valeriia's journey with HALO! 👏

Valeriia (centre) during a recce of a future clearance area in Ukraine

Valeriia conducting an EOD Task assessment during training

Students being instructed on Team equipment

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

#HALO2024: Also from the 1940s were these anti-personnel mines, found in Ariha district, #Syria last year. Despite the passage of time, the explosive capacity of these mines remained intact. The HALO team safely removed these items - and the threat they posed to the local community.

These 1940s anti-personnel mines were found in Syria

The mines had retained their explosive capacity and were safely removed by HALO.

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

#HALO2024: Going back even further in time, HALO teams found weapons including anti-aircraft guns in Solomon Islands. These items were discarded over 80 years ago when the Japanese army withdrew during #WWII.

A Japanese anti-aircraft gun found in Solomon Islands

The HALO team at the location where the 1940s weapons were found

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

#HALO2024: Another massive item to be found last year was in Xepon District, #Laos, where a decades-old 1,000lb bomb was reported - and safely removed by the HALO team. This work meant that the land could once again be used for farming.

A huge, 1000lb bomb was found buried in a farmer's field in Laos

HALO teams hard at work removing the bomb from where it was buried

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

#HALO2024: One of the biggest finds of the year was this huge aircraft bomb in Sancharak district, #Afghanistan, dating all the way back to the Soviet invasion of 1979-1989. The bomb was defused and safely destroyed by HALO teams, making life safer for the local community.

A huge aircraft bomb found in Afghanistan

HALO teams removed the bomb and made the area safe

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The HALO Trust @thehalotrust.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

🧵 #HALO2024: As well as clearing the land of mines and explosive ordnance from current or recent conflicts, our work often includes removing dangerous items that have been undisturbed for many decades. 2024 was no different, and HALO teams made some dramatic finds last year:

HALO teams safely disposing of the grenades

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