10 years of clearing landmines in Colombia

This year marks the 10th Anniversary since HALO established our programme in Colombia. Over the past decade our Colombian deminers have removed landmines from coffee plantations, farms, veredas (villages) and indigenous reserves. Our survey teams have also reported nearly 1000 veredas as landmine free—restoring confidence so families feel safe to use their land again. We've also taught risk education to over 22,500 people, ensuring they know how to stay safe until all the explosives have been destroyed for good.

Since we began working in Colombia we have cleared landmines and explosives from an area equivalent in size to 96 football pitches. Once land is safe, it can be returned to communities; displaced families can come home, crops can be grown and livestock grazed.

Over 20 million people have benefitted from our work. Farmers like Jorge from San Rafael can now use their land freely. Diana, from Abejorral, has been able to take part in a project that supports single mothers and their families. They use land cleared by HALO to grow crops including corn, beans, tomatoes and coriander—as well as keeping chickens. They sell their produce at market, giving them an income to improve their quality of life.

Today HALO Colombia employs 460 men and women. Over 80 per cent of the staff are victims of the conflict that has torn communities apart for over five decades. By working for HALO they have the opportunity to learn new skills, earn a living wage and shape the future of their country.

Our work to create a safer future for the people of Colombia over the last decade would not have been possible without the generous support of our donors, including the governments of the United States, Canada, Norway and Ireland.