Exactly 80 years after the end of World War II in the Pacific, Solomon Islands continues to grapple with a deadly legacy: hundreds of thousands of unexploded and abandoned munitions scattered across its islands, posing a persistent threat to lives, livelihoods, and development.
Despite the passage of time, the scale of contamination remains vast and largely undocumented. The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department (RSIPF EODD) destroyed over 50,000 explosive items since 2011, yet this represents only a fraction of the problem.
A recent review by HALO Trust found that 80% of recovered ordnance was of US origin, 17% Japanese, and 3% per cent from other nations.
"The UXO threat in Solomon Islands is not just a historical issue – it's a daily danger. Children are still finding grenades in their backyards. Some impoverished communities are harvesting explosives for fishing. And we still don't know how many lives have been lost."
In 2023, the scale of the problem was starkly illustrated during preparations for the Pacific Games. A local clearance operator recovered over 8,000 explosive items from a 60,000 m² (15 acre) site – some buried as deep as four meters.
The HALO Trust, working alongside the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services and the RSIPF EODD, is using US historical battlefield records and community engagement to guide survey efforts.
A participatory approach has helped identify hazardous areas, including informal settlements like Mbokona, where a nine-year-old showed HALO a WWII-era grenade found in a stream next to their home.
Risk education and survey work by HALO Solomons staff
To support public safety, HALO has launched an explosive ordnance risk education campaign, distributing leaflets, posters, and school materials. All materials include safety guidance such as "don’t build fires".
While the complete removal of unexploded bombs may take decades – mirroring efforts in Western Europe after WWII – experts stress that more can be done now to prevent further loss of life. "This is a solvable problem", said Emily Davis. "With the right resources, we can protect communities, unlock land for development, and honour the memory of those who fought here by making the islands safe for future generations."
Watch our video to hear from our staff about their work to survey the land and deliver risk education sessions to create a safer future for the people of Solomon Islands.
HALO's work in Solomon Islands is supported by
