As the revival of a former transcontinental railway line gathers pace across southern and eastern Africa, a new documentary, 'Lobito Bound – A journey to Africa's new frontier', follows explorer Dwayne Fields along the Lobito Corridor to report on how its redevelopment is shaping lives, landscapes, and economies.
The film, launching tomorrow on Apple TV+, Amazon Prime and YouTube, follows Fields' journey from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic, capturing unique perspectives on a region teetering on the brink of change.
Connecting the mineral heartlands of the DRC and northwestern Zambia to regional and global trade markets via the bustling port of Lobito, the railway has the potential to create billions of dollars of trade, boosting the national economy and creating employment opportunities for local communities.
However, the safe restoration of the Corridor depends heavily upon destroying the deadly legacy of landmines littered along its route during Angola's bloody 27-year civil war.
HALO is working hard to make this a reality and protect the estimated 40% of Angola's population living and working in the railways' vast catchment area. So far, 3,799 minefields have been cleared by the demining sector across five provinces, but at least 192 live minefields remain in Bié, Moxico Leste, and Moxico.
Employing cutting-edge technology to improve the speed and efficiency of this clearance work, drones, machine learning and new generation magnetic resonance detectors are amongst the innovative solutions currently being trialled by HALO.
James Cowan, HALO's CEO said: "Clearing mines along the Lobito Corridor is the crucial first step toward a more prosperous future for Angola and the entire region. I am proud of The HALO Trust’s vital role in this extraordinary achievement. Our deminers have done more than save lives and limbs – they have turned the scars of war into pathways for progress and hope. With continued investment, we can keep the Lobito Corridor moving forward on time and on track."
Up to 88,000 people have been killed or injured by explosives in Angola since 2008, with the Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor recording 107 casualties in 2022 alone.
HALO has cleared over 125,000 landmines and 100,000 bombs in the country since 1994, the equivalent to an area the size of almost 7,000 football pitches, but there is still work to be done with more than 1,000 live minefields remaining.
The Government of Angola is HALO's largest donor in Angola and has led the way in demonstrating how governments can prioritise landmine clearance as part of economic growth.
About HALO
- The HALO Trust is the world's largest humanitarian landmine clearance organisation.
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HALO works in 30+ countries including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Colombia, Angola and Sri Lanka.
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We deploy groundbreaking technology in conflict and post-conflict settings to help people rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods and keep their children safe.
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HALO also runs programmes in weapons and ammunition management and safety training. During emergencies, we also provide humanitarian aid and logistical support.
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HALO was founded in 1988 in Afghanistan.
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We employ 9,000 staff worldwide and recruit 95% of them locally.
