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For more than five decades, the people of Colombia have suffered the consequences of warfare between illegal armed groups. Landmines were laid throughout rural areas, devastating local towns and villages. Nearly 12,000 people have been killed or injured by mines or UXO since 1990—that’s a casualty rate second only to Afghanistan.

These, often crude explosive devices don’t just endanger lives, they destroy livelihoods. Families are too afraid to use their land to grow crops, natural resources are cut off and children cannot walk to school or play outside without fear of accidents. Eisenhower lives in the village of Canyon de las Hermosas and, like many other villages in Colombia, residents here are too frightened to cultivate their land.

HALO has been clearing landmines in Colombia since 2013, making land safe across Antioquia, Boyacá, Casanare, Cauca, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Tolima and Valle del Cauca. We’ve removed landmines from coffee plantations, farms, veredas (villages) and indigenous reserves. Our survey teams have also reported nearly 1245 veredas as landmine free. This is equally important work as it restores confidence, so people feel safe to use their land again.

There are still vast swathes of land to be cleared, so we help children and local communities stay safe by teaching them about the risks and what to do if they come across a landmine or explosive device.

Landmine clearance is integral to achieving peace in Colombia, and the vital first step in rebuilding communities after so many years of suffering. The removal of mines and other explosives allows both governmental and non-governmental development projects to begin, providing conflict affected communities with the support they desperately need. The longer-term impact of HALO’s work will be seen in the years and decades to come, providing opportunity for improved livelihoods and a prosperous future for a new generation.