United Kingdom: The UK Government has affirmed new funding for two prominent British organizations – the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and The Halo Trust (HALO). Last year’s funding supported over 50,000 people via programs in 10 countries, including Ukraine and Afghanistan.
This new funding will be utilized to aid in the clearance of mines and to educate communities about the risks associated with them in eight countries, including Angola, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Laos, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
MAG and The HALO Trust are expecting to free up to 17 million square meters of land in 10 countries from mines with the help of UK funding. This will allow for the utilization of the land for agricultural purposes, housing and basic social services such as schools, hospitals, water and sanitation.
This initiative will support and promote economic development within communities around the world, restore livelihoods in rural and marginalized areas, as well as strengthen local production and food security. Both organizations will conduct over 34,000 in-person sessions to educate more than half a million people on explosive ordnance risk, significantly improving community safety.
Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa stated that, “Landmines are a nightmare – causing thousands of deaths and injuries each year. The UK remains committed in its determination to work towards a mine-free world and is delighted to award extra funding to MAG and The HALO Trust to continue their life-saving work.”
“We want to help both organisations create safe and secure environments where communities live freely without fear of the deadly threat of landmines,” the minister added.
The latest announcement has increased the total amount committed to £28 million under the third version of the Government’s Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP), through multi-year contracts. GMAP has been operational since 2014 and has facilitated the clearance of millions of square meters of land to date.
This funding will enable to continue the work in heavily mined countries like Cambodia and Laos, as well as in some of the world’s poorest countries such as South Sudan and Somalia, until March 2025. Additionally, it will support the establishment of a new country program in Ethiopia, where HALO is currently the only active international mine operator.
Funding will create new opportunities for women in countries such as Angola, Cambodia and Laos through raised employment and demining career development and continued investment in staff training.
MAG’s CEO, Darren Cormack commented that, “We are immensely grateful for the funding and long-standing support from the UK Government and are delighted to partner with The HALO Trust to continue our work in some of the world’s most mine-affected countries.”
“Whilst much remains to be done in many active conflict environments in which we are working, this funding will provide vital assistance to many countries that are tackling the legacy of conflict, which continues to claim lives long after the fighting is over. This is an important step towards a mine-free world,” Cormack said.
The HALO Trust’s CEO, James Cowan has noted that, “This funding announcement coincides with The HALO Trust celebrating the clearance of 5,000 minefields in Cambodia, 1,000 minefields in Angola and a staggering 2 million landmines worldwide. None of these milestones would have been possible without the support of our donors. The sustained commitment of the UK government and generosity of the British taxpayer have played a vital role.”
Further Cowan stated that, “We will continue our lifesaving work alongside MAG and other partners in the sector until the last mine is gone and last munition defused.”
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