Decades of war have left approximately one million landmines in Somalia, explosives that harm or kill whoever contacts them, whether an armed combatant or an innocent child. Thousands of Somalians have died from landmines. The presence of mines also limits communities’ access to land, hindering crop growth and exacerbating hunger.

The Halo Trust, a nonprofit organization founded in 1988, is methodically removing landmines in Somalia. Their work makes the country safer, improving the lives of Somalians.

Improving Agropastoralism

In August 2021, the Halo Trust celebrated the clearance of one million square meters of land in Somalia from landmines. Land clearance positively impacts agropastoralism. Once land is safe from explosives, herders can use it for livestock grazing. They no longer have to worry about losing their cows and donkeys to accidents, which can be worth more than two months’ wages.

Communities also use cleared land to produce frankincense, made from the resin of Boswellia sacra trees and earn income. These trees have been growing in the region for thousands of years and can generate frankincense nearly year-round. Harvesting frankincense offers a way for people in Somalia to earn a reliable income and support their families.

Increasing Safety Through Education

Clearing landmines is painstaking work and takes significant time. Until the Halo Trust can rid Somalia of landmines, it is educating communities on avoiding their risks. Education efforts prioritize children because they are often curious and at high risk for landmine accidents. The Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, a program researching and monitoring worldwide landmines and munitions, reported that 88% of deaths from landmines in Somalia in 2019 were children.

Employing People in Landmine Communities

Creating jobs in Somalia is critical. The World Bank reported in 2022 that 70% of its citizens are impoverished. In recent years, the country has faced droughts and widespread food insecurity.

The organization employs people from the communities where it works, creating jobs while propelling landmine clearance. Halo Somalia employs nearly 400 men and women from landmine communities in Somalia. These jobs are concentrated along the border between Somalia and Ethiopia, where most of the nation’s landmines are located. Jobs are often scarce in these regions, especially for women. Through this work, locals benefit economically while helping to make their communities safer.

Though much work remains to declare the globe landmine-free, the Halo Trust is progressing and improving lives in Somalia.

– Kelly Carroll
Photo: Flickr