The Deadly Debris of War in Syria

In the years since conflict began in Syria in 2011, the world has watched in horror as villages, towns and cities have been reduced to rubble. Families have been torn apart and forced to flee their homes; children have grown up amidst a torrent of bombs and gunfire.

Few areas, if any, have escaped the deadly debris of war; landmines, cluster bombs and explosives are strewn through homes and streets. According to the UN, more than ten million people in Syria are at risk of harm.

“Our biggest priority is to educate kids to stop them picking up pieces of explosive debris that might detonate in their hands.”

Simon Conway, Director of Capability, HALO

Our Work

HALO is working with Syrian humanitarian organisations to teach families how to stay safe when they return home and begin to rebuild their lives. We are also mapping landmine accident data, to inform future clearance.

Sadly, thousands of Syrians have already suffered horrendous injuries from the debris of war. In 2017, the World Health Organisation estimated over 86,000 accidents had led to amputation; today the figure is likely to be far higher. With the Syrian healthcare system already under strain, many victims receive little or no assistance. HALO has therefore introduced an Amputee Survivor Assistance Project, working with Syrian organisations to provide prosthetics to children and adults so they can regain their independence.

This project has been funded by ECHO as well as the generous supporters of our Walk for Syria in 2018 and Joanna Lumley’s Radio 4 Appeal.

Teaching people how to stay safe

Victim assistance

OUR IMPACT

“Our partners visited a school to give a risk education lesson. At the end of the session two small children approached them, unzipped their backpacks and emptied the contents onto a desk. Their backpacks were full of cluster bombs. They had just been taught not to pick up explosive debris and they had backpacks full of them.”

Alannah Ellis, programme officer, HALO

Our risk education is vital, particularly for children, whose curiosity can easily lead them into danger. They are taught how to recognise dangerous items and what to do if they see something suspicious.

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Meet our team in Syria

Adam Boyd

Programme Manager

This is Adam’s first appointment with HALO. He joined the team in March 2018, having served in the Australian Army for over 20 years and Australian industry for five years. Adam’s background includes project management, research and development, and explosive ordnance disposal. Adam has a Master of Management in Capability Development and Acquisition.

Abdullah Alkhasawneh

Deputy Programme Manager

Abdullah joined HALO in August 2017 with nearly 20 years of experience as an Army Engineering/EOD officer in the Jordanian Armed Forces. Before joining the military, he studied mathematics at university. When he left the army, Abdullah wanted to use his technical background to help people affected by ERW. He joined the Humanitarian Mine Action sector and worked as a programme manager with another NGO for two years before joining HALO.

Admir Polloshka

Finance Manager

Admir joined HALO in Kosovo in 1999 and completed demining training. He held various positions, including Location Manager, before being promoted to manage finance and logistics for HALO’s largest programme in Afghanistan in 2007. After two years in Afghanistan he moved to Sri Lanka where he spent a further two years managing programme finance and logistics. Admir then left HALO to work briefly in South Sudan, pursue an MBA degree and administer grants for the US Embassy in Pristina. He returned to HALO to oversee finance and logistics in Cambodia before joining HALO Syria in 2016. In addition to the outdoors, sport and music, Admir has great interest in languages, cultural heritage and travelling. He is also passionate about protecting the environment.

Jim Egan

Global Technical Advisor (EOD)

Jim joined the Syria programme in February 2018. Before HALO, Jim was a Marine Project Manager in the commercial UXO sector. His home and family are in the Republic of Ireland where he also managed a marine navigation consultancy for eight years. Previous work experience prior to moving to Ireland included time in the Middle East as an EOD officer and advisor. Jim started his career in the Royal Air Force (RAF), training to work as a Weapons Technician on Vulcan bombers, Lightnings, Victor Tankers, and Tornados. He qualified as a Bomb Disposal Officer in 1987 and left the RAF after 23 years as an EOD Instructor, having served in the UK, Germany, Kosovo, Middle East and The Falkland Islands.

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