The people of Somalia have suffered decades of armed conflict, beginning with the Ogden War in 1977 and continuing today with the ongoing civil war. Thousands of landmines and explosives have been used, leaving a deadly legacy that threatens lives and destroys futures. The country remains separated between the independent state of Somaliland, semi-autonomous Puntland, and the four newly formed states that make up Southern Somalia.
Somalia now has an internationally recognised government, however, there is a long road ahead before Somalia’s federal system is declared a success and its people are safe, from landmines and other explosives as well as unsecured weapons.
Somaliland, on the other hand, continues to make progress as a democracy. In 2017 it held its third presidential election since the declaration of independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, following a three-year civil war.
Our Work - Somalia
Clearing landmines & explosives
Teaching people how to stay safe
For many years, it was too dangerous for organisations like HALO to access the remote communities most severely affected by landmines and other explosives, but that is changing.
Across the states of Galmadug, Hirshabelle and Southwest we are identifying battle sites and minefields and beginning work to make the land safe, so that farmers can use it to graze animals or access precious resources like water. We also teach risk education to vulnerable families, ensuring people stay safe until our work is done.
By building trust with locals, we can respond to requests to remove explosives left behind by years of fighting.
