Landmines stop families from returning home
Kassim, father of eight, Al Anbar, Iraq
"I cannot return home with my family because it was badly damaged in the fighting, I have found explosives around the house and I am scared my children could get hurt.”
Priest Kanthasamey Santerakumar, Sri Lanka
“The people of our village were displaced 19 years ago and landmines still prevent us from returning home. My ancestors have been tending to this temple for nearly two centuries. When HALO completes work here, it will be my responsibility to renovate and reopen this sacred temple site."
Landmines Stop Boys and Girls from having a childhood
Artan, Kosovo
“I know that if I step in the minefield it would be very dangerous. My friends and I never go near the minefield, it is not safe. It means we cannot play football there.”
Paula, mum of three, Angola
“Three members of my family were injured by landmines in 1998. My brother was killed. I was following my father to collect wood when I stood on a landmine, losing my leg."
Zejnepe Vila, Kosovo
“Life after the accident was full of fear. The children couldn’t enjoy their childhood and didn’t even think about playing outside because of what had happened to their father.”
Landmines stop safe access to water
Rora Osman, Somaliland
“We were not able to use our berkhad (water store) for over 30 years because of the landmines. We have lost so many sheep to the drought.”
Veronica Ndumba, Angola
“Landmines stopped my family from reaching the river safely. We need the water to wash clothes and dishes.”
Landmines stop people from farming
Edek Khambaryan, Nagorno Karabakh
"If the landmines were gone I would be able to grow an extra $450 worth of crops per year to support my four children and six grandchildren.”
Evaristo, 73 years old, Angola
“I have lived in Calacoque since 1983—I remember the army camp that was based here during the war. I have a large family but the landmines surrounding my fields mean I cannot grow enough to support them.”
Gagik and Anna Arakelyan, Nagorno Karabakh
“It’s a daily struggle for my family and my neighbors to survive in Maratuk. We cannot graze our livestock or cultivate the land without fear.”
Landmines stop businesses from growing
Carlos, father to five daughters, Colombia
“I was injured by a landmine on my land. I have not returned to that place since. Once the landmines are gone I will be able to expand my coffee plantation and make a sustainable business for my daughters.”
Mr Jayachchantheran, Sri Lanka
"If the landmines are cleared we can return to our own land, then we can save money by not having to pay for rent and re-start our cultivation business."
Landmines stop animals from grazing safely
Enver, father of five, Kosovo
“When I lost two cows on the minefield, I also lost about 1600 euros. Shortly after the war, one of my neighbours lost a leg trying to chase his animals out of the minefield.”
Ugubos and his brothers, Angola
Every day Ugubos and his brothers risk their lives walking through mined land as they seek pasture and water for their family's valuable cows.
George, village headsman, Zimbabwe
“In the past almost all my friends and neighbours lost animals to mines. We had over 20 accidents in the last five years.”
Landmines Stop Children from Going to School Safely
Gagik Arakelyan, school bus driver, Nagorno Karabakh
“As parents, we were very worried at being forced to expose our children to danger every time they went to school – but we had no alternative. There is no other route, and the children need to go to school.”
Tatenda and friends, Zimbabwe
"We used to cross the minefield to get to school but we were scared because one of our friends was killed by a landmine."
Landmines Stop Communities From Healing After Conflicts Have Ended
Nicolas Gauti, Zimbabwe
“As long as the landmines are in the ground I will still feel that my wounds are open.” Nicolas Gauti lost his sight as the result of a landmine accident in 1984.
Lubov Vladimirovna, Ukraine
“There are still families living here—kids, mothers, fathers. But what is left for the people here? There’s nothing left now.” The landmines in Lubov’s village in Ukraine make it impossible for the community to rebuild
Mohammed, Village Elder, Somaliland
“Before we lived in fear. When our children went out with the animals, we were afraid they would never come back.” Mohammed's brother and cousin were killed by a landmine in 2003, his village has lived with the fear their children may also be hurt ever since.
Together we can destroy landmines for good
