Support and Protect Families in Afghanistan

In western Afghanistan, the Herat Province stands at a crossroads, once a trade hub bordering Iran and Turkmenistan, and now a symbol of resilience in the face of decades of destruction. For years here, residents have lived under the constant threat of dangerous explosives left behind in an abandoned military ammunition depot that has stood empty since it was used in the 1980s. Its contents decayed, created dangerous hazards hidden beneath the surface. Because of this, residents have been living in constant fear. In 2022, that fear became reality when a local scrap collector was badly injured after accidentally triggering an explosive.

The community had had enough. With support from donors, HALO deployed a team of trained deminers who worked diligently to clear the area and make it safe again. By January 2025, the team safely destroyed 736 hazardous items including rockets and mortars.

This was a huge step in eliminating the immediate danger to thousands of local community members. Today, the once-lethal zone is being transformed into a community park, restoring safety, enabling recreational activities, and symbolizing hope for Herat’s future.

A local elder told HALO, “This park isn’t just a green space; it’s proof that safety and renewal are possible”.

Residents of these communities deserve the chance to live free of fear. The HALO Trust is on the front line of this initiative and the donor community is at the core of it. With continued support from donors, communities across Afghanistan grow closer to a landmine free future.