NZ Defence Force say firing range was cleared before Afghan children died

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) says a firing range was cleared the year before seven children died from a device allegedly left behind on a NZDF firing range in Afghanistan. A Stuff Circuit investigation has revealed 17 civilians were Read More …

Spotlight: Landmines pose serious humanitarian threat to Yemenis

Yemen is facing a serious humanitarian catastrophe created by the large fields of landmines and explosive remnants that haunt several provinces of the impoverished Arab country. The ongoing fighting between Yemen’s government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels remains the major Read More …

Last Stage of Ukraine Troop Pullback Opens Way for Peace Summit

Ukraine began the last of three troop withdrawals in its eastern conflict zone, a move that should help pave the way for a peace summit with the leaders of Russia, Germany and France. The pullback started Saturday shortly after noon Kyiv time, Read More …

Hundreds of thousands of civilians at risk in Syria amid ongoing violence in northeast and northwest

Almost daily violence targeting built-up areas and health facilities in Syria continues to threaten the lives of civilians there, UN rights experts and humanitarians said on Friday. At least 92 people have been killed in northeastern and northwestern Syria in Read More …

NZDF in Solomons to help with unexploded ‘remnants of war‘

New Zealand‘s Defence Force has sent 21 bomb disposal experts to Solomon Islands to aid in the removal of “potentially dangerous” unexploded Second World War explosives. NZ Army Land EOD teams conduct explosive ordinance reconnaissance and removal on the island Read More …

Another 500lb UXO to be detonated in Marawi, Philippines

The Army Engineers’ Explosive Ordnance and Disposal (EOD) team will detonate another 500-pound unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the weekend, according to Lt. Col. Elmer Oamil, deputy commander of Joint Task Group Builder and commander of the 553rd Engineer Battalion based in Marawi Read More …

‘Whistles, warnings, kaboom!’: a day with a landmine clearance team

Aki Ra was a child soldier for Pol Pot, laying mines around Siem Reap. Now he is using his expertise to clear land in rural Cambodia and make it safe again The rusty tailfin of the mortar round can be Read More …

Japan grants Rs. 219 million for humanitarian demining in North Sri Lanka

The Japanese Government has provided a total sum of US$ 1,266,825 (approx. Rs. 219 million) for the SKAVITA Humanitarian Assistance and Relief Project (SHARP) and the HALO Trust for humanitarian demining in Northern Sri Lanka, a communique issued by the Read More …

Schonstedt Magnetic Locators Support Somalia Demining Efforts

In collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), four Magnetic Locators from Schonstedt Instrument Company have deployed to Somalia, approximately 6 miles north of the nation’s capital, Mogadishu, to locate explosive remnants of war (ERW). About the Site Read More …

First Afghanistan province declared mine-free – thanks to an all-female team who cleared them

Last year, landmines still killed or injured an average of four Afghans every day. During the past four decades of war, the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan has cleared more than 18 million explosive remnants of war, about 737,000 anti-personnel mines Read More …

Germany supports demining projects in Sri Lanka

On 17 September, German Ambassador Jörn Rohde visited the demining sites of the HALO Trust and Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony (DASH), who is the local implementing partner of Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in Kilinochchi. The aforementioned two non-governmental organisations Read More …

Sri Lanka: US delegation inspects demining activities in northern areas

A delegation of US representatives yesterday (07) monitored the demining activities in Jaffna, Muhamalai and Pallai areas. Mine clearance organizations are carrying out demining activities in the aforementioned areas with the financial assistance of the US government. According to demining Read More …

UK aid-funded mine clearance success in Angola to be repeated in Zimbabwe

Thousands of people will be safe from the threat of landmines in Zimbabwe, thanks to fresh UK support for demining charity The HALO Trust. UK aid will match public donations to the charity’s Zimbabwe appeal, International Development Secretary Alok Sharma Read More …

Bomb squad called to Kirkdale industrial estate after ‘World War II shell’ found

The bomb squad was called out to a Kirkdale industrial estate today following the discovery of a suspected artillery shell. Officers were called at about 8am after the item was found on grounds in Junction Road at the small industrial estate. There were unconfirmed Read More …