The HALO Trust
@thehalotrust.bsky.social
The HALO Trust is an international organisation that clears landmines and other explosives in war-torn areas. Our mission is to protect lives and restore the livelihoods of those affected by conflict. https://www.halotrust.org/
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.
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.
July 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
July 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
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.
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.
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:
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:
June 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
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.
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.
May 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
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.
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.
#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.
Almost two million people who fled conflict in Syria have returned home to find their towns, villages and fields contaminated with deadly ordnance.
May 29, 2025 at 3:53 PM
#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.
Almost two million people who fled conflict in Syria have returned home to find their towns, villages and fields contaminated with deadly ordnance.
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.
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.
May 8, 2025 at 10:38 AM
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.
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.
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.
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.
May 8, 2025 at 10:38 AM
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.
We were honoured that Pope Francis acknowledged our work, as we mourn his passing and thank him for his commitment to peace.
April 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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.
We were honoured that Pope Francis acknowledged our work, as we mourn his passing and thank him for his commitment to peace.
🎥 “#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:
"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:
April 9, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🎥 “#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:
"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:
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
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
April 9, 2025 at 9:06 AM
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
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
🧵(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.
HALO has worked in Angola since 1994, clearing entire cities, provinces, railways and airports, bringing prosperity to millions.
April 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM
🧵(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.
HALO has worked in Angola since 1994, clearing entire cities, provinces, railways and airports, bringing prosperity to millions.
🧵(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.
In 1997, Diana walked through what was a minefield. It was a walk that forced the world to sit up and take notice.
April 1, 2025 at 8:20 AM
🧵(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.
In 1997, Diana walked through what was a minefield. It was a walk that forced the world to sit up and take notice.
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.
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.
March 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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.
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.
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.”
"It's a great achievement and shows HALO’s commitment to building local capacity that can help people safely return home.”
March 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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.”
"It's a great achievement and shows HALO’s commitment to building local capacity that can help people safely return home.”
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.
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.
March 31, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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.
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.
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
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
March 25, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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
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
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
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
March 19, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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
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
🎥 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:
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:
February 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
🎥 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:
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:
🎥 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. ⬇️
February 21, 2025 at 11:29 AM
🎥 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. ⬇️
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.
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.
February 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
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.
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.
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
Between 2007-08, HALO cleared mines from Catumbela Airport, paving the way for economic development and progress. Today, Benguela is thriving: bit.ly/3EI0ZSt
February 18, 2025 at 10:47 AM
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
Between 2007-08, HALO cleared mines from Catumbela Airport, paving the way for economic development and progress. Today, Benguela is thriving: bit.ly/3EI0ZSt
🧵(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.
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.
February 3, 2025 at 5:03 PM
🧵(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.
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.
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.
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.
January 31, 2025 at 1:03 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.
January 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
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.
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.
🧵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.
Our work means land can be transformed to offer safety, security and opportunities for future generations.
January 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
🧵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.
Our work means land can be transformed to offer safety, security and opportunities for future generations.