A large stretch of desolate land with bits of vegetation and red soil

Somalia

The Somali people have endured decades of armed conflict and insecurity, resulting in widespread contamination from landmines and other explosive hazards. The border between Ethiopia and Somalia remains heavily contaminated as a result of the Ogaden War of 1977, while more recent internal conflicts are leaving a deadly legacy across the country that continues to threaten lives and livelihoods.

HALO's presence dates back to 1999, making it one of our longest-running programmes. Since then, we have cleared thousands of landmines and explosive items, helping communities recover from conflict and safely rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Sustained mine action remains essential to supporting long-term stability and recovery across Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa.

HALO operates from key locations including Mogadishu, Garowe, Las Anod and Abudwaq, and manages operations across all regions of Somaliland from Hargeisa. HALO works to make land safe for communities, so that people can safely access essential services, grazing lands, water resources, and pursue livelihoods free from the threat of explosive hazards. We also provide risk education to vulnerable communities, ensuring people stay safe until our work is done and all explosive items are safely removed.

HALO uses manual and mechanical mine clearance teams to remove landmines, especially along the border with Ethiopia, and battle area clearance teams to remove the thousands of explosive items left behind by both legacy and more recent conflicts.

Sq miles cleared of explosives

384,254

Arms and ammunition destroyed

942,175

People trained in staying safe

HALO's environment work in the Horn of Africa

Beyond clearance, HALO supports resilience in the face of environmental degradation by rehabilitating cleared land, restoring water systems, and working with communities to improve sustainable livelihoods.

HALO works with national partners and international researchers to document the growth of Boswellia, a species of frankincense tree. We provide tree husbandry support to resin-harvesting communities that have been impacted by conflict.

Across the Horn of Africa region, HALO is developing partnerships with established national and international NGOs, research institutes and academic institutions. Our goal is to support biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, and community-led environmental initiatives.

A man measures the trunk of a frankincense tree — Tree husbandry support for frankincense producers

Case study

In a country severely affected by drought, we create safe access to roads and critical grazing land.

We also teach children and families how to stay safe until all landmines and other explosive remnants of war can be removed for good. Communities regularly alert HALO to dangerous explosive items they encounter, demonstrating the persistent threat these hazards pose to people and the importance of continued clearance efforts.

Food and water are increasingly scarce due to extreme drought. Livestock owners like Abdul face an impossible decision: they either graze their animals on dangerous mine-strewn land, or risk them starving. HALO cleared an area the size of 30 football pitches around the village of Sayla Bari, enabling Abdul and other herders to graze their animals safely.

Thanks to donor support, HALO is also helping communities build resilience by rehabilitating cleared land and restoring natural resources. This includes constructing soil bunds for rainwater catchment and reseeding native grasses, and establishing community-managed enclosures for fodder production.

We also provide training and employment opportunities for local community members and rehabilitate community water storage facilities to improve the management of scarce water reserves.

Abdul Nasser a goat herder in Somaliland stands with a walking stick over his shoulder

I knew the area was mined but I didn't really have a choice as I have over 100 goats to feed.

Before the land was cleared, I relied on God to keep me safe. Now the mines are gone, my wife is happy that I am not putting myself in danger each day.

Abdul
Goat herder