Celebrating Mine Free Huambo

HALO has joined celebrations in Angola’s second city of Huambo after the Province was declared completely cleared of landmines after almost 30 years’ work by thousands of Angolan deminers.

Huambo Province is the richest agricultural region in Angola but was badly affected by landmines when its main city was repeatedly fought over by combatants during the country’s long civil war.

By clearing 298 minefields in Huambo and survey other areas as mine free, HALO has released 15.8 square km of land­–equivalent to 2,216 football pitches.

In the course of clearing the minefields in Huambo, HALO has destroyed over 14,000 landmines in the province since it began operations in the midst of the Civil War in 1995.

Valdemar added: “Their hard work demonstrates that by working in partnership with the Government and international donors, Angola’s landmines problem is not insurmountable. It sets a very important precedent and leads the way for Angola’s other 17 provinces.”

“I also need to say thank you to the many donors who have supported HALO’s work, especially the United States Government and the Government of Angola. The Government of Angola is unique in the world for the level of investment it has made to clearing its own country of landmines.”

Among the minefields cleared by HALO in Huambo is the Barrio Militar minefield close to Huambo city centre that was visited by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. The area surrounding the minefields demonstrate the development that follows mine clearance as it has become a thriving community of businesses, housing and local schools and colleges.

HALO also cleared ten minefields that surrounded Huambo’s airport that had cut the city off from the rest of the country until HALO completed its work.

[Potential quotation] Leonardo Severino Sapalo, the Director General of ANAM, Angola's National Mine Action Authority: “Mine clearance has made our people safer and allowed for the reconstruction and development of Angola’s second city and the country’s most important farmland. Together with international donors, Angola’s partnership with The HALO Trust to clear Huambo of mines is a globally important example of post-conflict reconstruction and development.”