The HALO Trust first came to Cambodia in 1991 to clear the landmines and explosives left behind after the Cambodian Civil War. Situated on one of the first minefields HALO cleared in Cambodia now stands Thlat Primary School in Svay Chek village, Anlong Veng district. Mine clearance finished on this site in 1999 and now 336 boys and girls attend the school.
Among those who cleared these fields almost 25 years ago is HALO Operations Manager in Cambodia, Ny Ra.
When HALO began operations in Cambodia, it was one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Today we celebrate having made a total of 500,000,000 square metres of land in Cambodia safe—an area greater than the size of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, since 1991, HALO has reached almost one million Cambodian people to educate them on the risks posed by landmines and other remnants of war.
Anlong Veng holds historical significance as the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge, coming under government control in 1998 and serving as the resting place of Pol Pot. Formerly a symbol of conflict and danger, the area has been revitalized and serves as a symbol of hope and progress.
At Thlat School in Svay Chek, a 33,573 square metre minefield was cleared and over 200 explosive devices were found and destroyed. Today, this school stands as a testament to HALO's impact. Children can now learn without fear, paving the way for brighter futures.
As Ny Ra reflects on HALO's journey and the transformed landscape before him, he envisions a future where Cambodia is free from the shadows of conflict. HALO Cambodia remains committed to its mission, continuing to make strides towards a safer and more prosperous Cambodia free from landmines and the explosive remnants of war.
This life-saving work is made possible in part thanks to funding from the
Government of the United States
