Mine Awareness Day 2024

This year for International Mine Awareness Day, we wanted to highlight some lesser-known facts about landmines, explosive remnants of war, and the mine-clearance sector. Read on to uncover the types of threats we eliminate and more about HALO's work in action.

Did you know… bombs from World War II are still killing civilians today?

HALO teams are not only clearing mines laid in present or active conflicts but also mines from past wars that were dropped decades ago. A rusty old grenade or landmine can still be just as dangerous decades later—and sometimes even more volatile. Today, some 60 million people in nearly 70 countries and territories worldwide still live with the risk of landmines and deadly explosives. Every year more than 5,500 people are killed or maimed by landmines; most are civilians and half are children.

**In 2022 alone *Figures from UN

Between 1942 and 1945, the United States and its allies fought Japanese forces for control of naval and air bases in the Solomon Islands. The combination of fierce land battles, naval and artillery bombardment, aerial bombing, ammunition dumping, and munition store explosions have left Solomon Islands with a deadly and widespread, but largely uncharted legacy of contamination with unexploded and abandoned ordnance.

Learn more about our work on the ground in the Solomon Islands.

Did you know… there are more than 30 types of landmines in Ukraine alone?

There are currently more than 600 different types of landmines! This doesn’t even count the many improvised mines made by forces engaged in fighting around the world. These landmines are all grouped into two broad categories: Anti-Personnel (AP) and Anti-Vehicle (AV) mines, which are also commonly referred to as Anti-Tank mines.

Listen to this episode of Beyond Bombs with JJ Chalmers to get insight on different types of explosive threats from HALO experts. Pete Smith, HALO Ukraine Programme Manager, walks us through the anatomy and use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), while colleague Amy Duncan explains how a new landmine specifically designed to penetrate body armour and sense human presence has been used by Russia in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Fiona Kilpatrick talks about the challenges in destroying very large explosive items—in this case, a 750lb aircraft bomb buried in a remote village in Laos for over 50 years.

Did you know… up to 40 percent of cluster bombs do not detonate on impact?

Cluster bombs are relatively small explosive or incendiary devices released from canisters containing 700 or more bomblets and designed to scatter over a wide area. In practice, due to a variety of factors, "dud rates" can range from around 3 percent up to 40 percent. That means these bomblets can act as landmines for generations to come, until an operator like HALO arrives to remove them.

Read about the threat of cluster bombs in Laos and the work HALO is doing to keep community members safe.

Did you know… HALO employs over 12,000 staff in 30 countries?

People in war-torn communities are desperate to educate their children and put food on the table, but often jobs are scarce. Without a living wage it is difficult for families to survive. At HALO, we are committed to helping these communities rebuild their lives by providing training and employment opportunities to local men and women. In fact, 98% of our staff come from the communities we serve. In many of the countries where HALO works, there are limits to accessing education and training—particularly for women. The opportunities HALO provides can be life-changing.

Did you know… the use of landmines can be traced back to the American Civil War?

Before the advent of gunpowder, area denial weapons like caltrops and buried spikes were used by the Romans and other forces in the ancient world. These serve as the precursors to the high-explosive landmines we see today. Though explosive weaponry can date back to the 13th century, when military forces in China’s Song Dynasty fought Mongolian invaders with bombs, it was not until the American Civil War that the landmine evolved into the form we typically see today. During this time, we saw the creation of devices comprised of metal casings filled with gunpowder, linked to a fuse and detonation method. Despite the tactical advantages that these early landmines provided, their deployment on the battlefield against civilian targets sparked considerable debate among Confederate leaders that continues today. The legacy of these Civil War-era mines lingers as well, with a notable discovery as recently as 2016 in Arkansas. A resident unearthed a Confederate landmine equipped with a pressure sensor fuse.

Did you know… HALO has found more than 2 million mines?

HALO was established in 1988 and since then, has found over 2 million mines worldwide. Thanks to the dedication of all of those involved, millions of lives and limbs have been saved as a result. Do you want to help us clear 2 million more? Join HALO's mission towards a safer tomorrow, one landmine at a time. Landmine clearance is the essential first step after war and conflict so that displaced families can return home, communities can rebuild and people can go back to their normal lives. DONATE today and join us in giving life back to communities around the world. A small monthly donation of £5 can make a huge impact on a HALO programme.

HALO protects lives not just by destroying landmines but also by teaching people, particularly children, how to stay safe until our work is done. We also work with local partners in countries like Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Laos to ensure that landmine victims receive the support they need to regain their independence and live with dignity. Learn more about HALO's survivor's assistance and risk education work.