HALO Trust CEO James Cowan said: “The HALO Trust was founded exactly 30 years ago to free the world from the scourge of landmines for good. Today’s announcement moves us closer to that day and it should be a source of immense pride that the British people are playing a key role in its realisation. Mine clearance is the very first step in creating stability, development and ultimately self-reliance for people whose lives continue to be blighted by conflicts long after they end. Thanks to British taxpayers, these people will be able to live, learn and cultivate in safety.”
International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said: “The crippling legacy of fear, mutilation and devastation, which landmines leave, must be wiped out for good. UK expertise and innovation is helping to shield vulnerable people from these barbaric relics and liberating land contaminated with these devices. This will allow the poorest people to grow crops, walk their children to school without fear and ultimately give them back control over their lives. The British public should feel immense pride in their critical contribution, at a time when unprecedented numbers of innocent people are dying as a result of these brutal indiscriminate killers.”
UK support will also help educate a further 280,000 men, women and children about the dangers of landmines, an essential lifeline to safeguard affected communities from mutilation or death.
UK Aid to mine action has benefitted up 2 million people and cleared 36 sq km since 2014. In addition to the countries announced by DFID today, UK aid for mine action will be allocated to clearance projects in Afghanistan and Iraq, including a pioneering operation to clear IEDs from Fallujah that were laid by ISIS.
Notes to Editors
- A programme in Afghanistan led by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
- An extension of the Global Mine Action Programme, which was delivered by The Halo Trust, MAG, Norwegian People’s Aid and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining in Burma, Cambodia, South Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Laos, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
- A programme in Iraq and another in Sudan both delivered by UNMAS.
- A programme in Yemen delivered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
For more information contact Paul McCann on 07967 853217 or Louise Vaughan at louise.vaughan@halotrust.org
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