HALO Trust Leads Way to 'Mine Free' Mozambique

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266795 )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150915/266799-INFO )

Mozambique was one of the most mined countries in the world. Before HALO began its pioneering programme in 1993, landmines caused hundreds of accidents, including fatalities and amputations.

Ridding Mozambique of landmines brings enormous benefits to its 26 million citizens. Communities can now cultivate crops and graze livestock safely. Mine clearance has enabled the country to develop its infrastructure, access gas and coal, increase tourism and attract international investment. Mozambique's GDP has grown 7% annually since HALO began demining and it is now ranked 10 in the world for real GDP growth.

HALO has employed more than 1,600 Mozambican men and women in demining since 1993. Using manual and mechanical demining methods, they helped make over 17 million square metres of land safe. Overall, personnel cleared over 171,000 landmines, accounting for about 80% of the total destroyed.

 louise.vaughan@halotrust.org

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