In 2016, in a global first, 223 donors cleared a minefield through crowdfunding. Donors from 16 countries contributed $30,000 to make Myurishen village in Nagorno Karabakh mine-free.
Following on from that, in spring 2017 HALO joined with the ONEArmenia campaigning organisation to raise close to $100,000 through crowdfunding. Thanks to that campaign and support from the the Izmirlian Foundation, HALO has deployed three new demining teams in summer 2017.
David, 25, who lives in Myurishen village and earns a living by collecting firewood said:
“My father and I collect firewood during the summer and autumn and sell it in the winter. I have seen cows blown up by mines and landmines sitting on the surface. I try to navigate a safe path where we have walked many times. When the minefield is cleared, our work will be better and more successful. I will be able to work safely and provide more for my wife and one-year-old son.”
HALO is now planning other projects around the world that can benefit from innovative forms of financing such as crowdfunding and funding partnerships with supportive organisations.
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