The brutal Civil War in El Salvador during the 80s and early 90s, claimed the lives of over 75,000 people—though there were many more unconfirmed disappearances. It left behind a dangerous legacy of landmines and other explosives, and large numbers of guns were imported during the conflict. These now contribute to high levels of crime and violence, so much so, that gang culture has spread, leaving El Salvador with one of the highest murder rates in the world.
The war is over but stability and security in El Salvador are an ongoing challenge and people like Maria, now a teacher who grew up in El Salvador during the war, live in fear.

Maria, El Salvador
Our Work

Managing weapons & ammunition
With the proactive support of the El Salvadorian police and armed forces, and thanks to funding from the United States Government, HALO is working to strengthen security in the country. In partnership with the police, we are destroying explosives and weapons and training the military to manage arms stores, so that the people of El Salvador can move towards a more peaceful future.