Panoramic view of the Bloody Ridge in Guadalcanal, showcasing dense jungle terrain and rugged hills under a cloudy sky

Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands is a Pacific nation spread across six major islands and almost 1,000 smaller islands, off the northeast coast of Australia. Only 147 of its islands are inhabited.

HALO's began operations here in 2023, initially focused on surveying the land to identify hazards and deliver safety training.

This year, HALO will clear unexploded and abandoned ordnance in the Solomon Islands for the first time, starting with a primary school and a nursing school.

4,356

Hectares surveyed for explosives

24,227

People trained in staying safe

Situation in Solomon Islands

During World War 2, the Japanese Imperial Army captured the Solomons after the attack on Pearl Harbour. Over the next two and a half years, the US and its allies fought hard to recapture them.

The land battles on the Solomon Islands were brutal with heavy naval, air and artillery bombardment, and close-quarter fighting with mortars and grenades.

Guadalcanal is one of the Solomons' six main islands and home to the capital city of Honiara.

This island was the site of a major six-month campaign between the Japanese and Allied troops in WW2.

Over eighty years later, unexploded bombs, shells and grenades still pose a serious risk to the people of Solomon Islands.

This contamination prevents farming, infrastructure development and safe housing. The explosives also threaten local ecosystems, as they are often repurposed by locals for fishing.

There is no formal method for recording explosives accidents in the Solomon Islands. Until HALO began survey work, the scale of contamination was unclear. The lack of data stops the government from developing a strategy or asking for international support.

Doreen, a Solomon Islands resident speaks with HALO survey staff — Doreen Noda's son Charley and his friend Rasif Hilly died in 2021 when a bomb exploded beneath their barbecue

A collection of rusted US six-inch practice projectiles

The unexploded ordnance threat in Solomon Islands is not just a historical issue, it's a daily danger.

Children are still finding grenades in their backyards. Some impoverished communities are harvesting explosives for fishing. And we still don't know how many lives have been lost.

Emily Davis
HALO Programme Manager, Solomon Islands

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HALO's work and impact in Solomon Islands

A deminer uses a device in the forest to complete survey operations in Solomon Islands — HALO staff member conducting a survey

HALO began operations in the Solomon Islands in June 2023, thanks to support from the US Government. Since then, we’ve surveyed over 4,355 hectares.

We've used recovered battlefield information, old maps, military archives, and clearance records from the local police to guide our approach.

Through meetings with community members, we gain valuable information on the location of bombs. This open-door policy encourages more information-sharing when explosives are found.

Importance of safety training

HALO has reported 4,276 bombs to the police for disposal since 2023.

We also deliver explosive safety training in community meetings and at schools, distributing leaflets, posters and school exercise books.

In 2026, HALO will begin humanitarian clearance of unexploded and abandoned ordnance in Solomon Islands for the first time.

Clearance will focus on areas where there is most humanitarian and developmental need, with the first clearance sites a primary school and a nursing college.

We also provide technical advice and training to local law enforcement, national authorities and other operators.