Pilgrims can now move in safety to sites of historical interest. Over 350 mines have been cleared from this area alone
ABKHAZIA 2011-
Though Abkhazia is mine free, as defined by Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, unexploded ordnance continues to be identified in significant quantities by local people who report its location to HALO. To this end, HALO is committed to running a small sustainable local capacity for a number of years to respond quickly and safely whenever ordnance is found. This will serve the dual purposes of preventing accidents and taking explosives out of circulation.
The HALO-run Abkhazia Mine Action Office (AMAO) will also maintain maps and other records of all HALO clearance and these will be available as a public resource for everyone living in Abkhazia.
Legacy minefields
HALO will complete in 2010 the clearance of the two of these minefields on which it is currently working. Additionally HALO hopes to work on further minefields in 2010 and is seeking funding for 2011 to complete the clearance of all the minefields currently available for clearance (the remainder being fenced minefields around active military establishments).
South Ossetia
In addition to mines laid since the early 1990s, it is likely that there is UXO and cluster munition contamination in South Ossetia resulting from the August 2008 conflict. It is HALO’s desire to undertake a detailed assessment mission in South Ossetia as soon as is possible. The findings of an initial assessment indicate that a full clearance programme will be required.