DG charity in landmine milestone

Directors of the HALO Trust, whose head office is near Thornhill, welcomed an announcement by the south African nation’s government this week as they declared the country free of landmines.
More than 1600 Mozambican men and women have been employed by HALO over the last decades and, utilising both manual and mechanical demining methods, they have cleared more than 171,000 landmines – accounting for about 80 per cent of the total destroyed.
HALO’s chief executive officer James Cowan said: “Mozambique is a compelling example of how dealing with the deadly debris of war systematically and in partnership with government, local people and donors can bring stability, recovery and growth to countries ravaged by war.
“HALO is proud to have been part of such a powerful legacy and hopes this news provides the momentum to strive for a mine free world by 2025.”
The late Princess Diana visited minefields being cleared by HALO in Angola just before her death in 1997, drawing the world’s attention to the horrific legacy of landmines.
And their work has also been supported by Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as well as Prince Harry.