HALO exhibit, Safer Steps, opens at the National War Museum in Edinburgh

In collaboration with National Museums Scotland, Safer Steps: The Work of The HALO Trust opened today at the National War Museum in Edinburgh.

The exhibition highlights HALO’s history and impact in removing the legacy of war through a collection of imagery, film, decommissioned weapons, and demining objects.

Honouring the 20^th anniversary of the occasion, the exhibit also features the body armour worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, on her well-publicised visit to Angola, where she walked through a minefield in Huambo and brought the campaign to ban landmines to the world’s attention.

The armour is kindly on loan from the Royal Armouries, and the display also features the iconic images, that were broadcast worldwide, of Princess Diana wearing it.

Each displayed object explores the devastating effect landmines have in affected countries as well as represents the nearly 30 year history of HALO’s work in saving lives and restoring communities threatened by landmines and other weapons of war.

James Cowan, CEO, said it was an honour for HALO’s work to be featured:

“It is a tribute to the work of tens of thousands of local people over nearly 30 years who have made their own communities safer by clearing landmines and the debris of war,” he said.

“I hope it will provide the Scottish and international visitors to the Museum with a picture of the dedication required to put countries back on their feet after conflict and of the great impact HALO has had, and continues to have, on people’s lives.”

photo courtesy of Neil Hanna

The exhibit will run until 4 March 2018 and is included in the admission price to Edinburgh Castle.

Click here to read the National Museums Scotland feature on the exhibition.