UK, Funding for mine action in Afghanistan and Ukraine

According to a recent report by the UK Foreign Office, the UK government has given £7 million to the HALO Trust to help clear mines in Ukraine and Afghanistan. The HALO Trust (editor’s note: Hazardous Area Life-support Organisation) is a Scottish charity that works primarily to clear landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) left over from conflicts. Officials said that at least £3 million will be spent in Afghanistan between April 2025 and March 2026. Statistics show that more than 65 square kilometres of land in Afghanistan remain contaminated with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and it is estimated that at least 455 people were killed or injured in mine-related incidents in 2024. A recent report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) ranked the country as one of the four most mine-affected countries globally, and UNICEF highlighted the importance of cooperation and support for mine clearance, mine risk education, and assistance to victims. Local commitment and increased international engagement will be essential to ensure the effectiveness of these initiatives in terms of security and stability in the regions of the world most affected by these challenges.