Protect Families in Ukraine

In the fourth year of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has become the most heavily mined country in the world. Yet amid destruction, daily life continues. Thanks to the generosity of the HALO community, it’s becoming safer, step by step.

Daily life in Ukraine is still marked by uncertainty. Power outages are common, and many families go hours without heat or electricity. Air raid sirens interrupt school lessons and family meals. For millions of people who have returned to their communities, the threat of landmines remains a constant concern—hidden in fields, along roads, near homes.

Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, HALO has:

• Cleared more than 2,175 acres of land—equivalent to 1,232 soccer fields.
• Reached more than 382,000 people with life-saving explosive ordnance risk education.
• Identified 42,700 explosive devices, including landmines and cluster munitions, which were safely destroyed.

Volodymyr’s Story: A Second Chance

Volodymyr, 36, is a veteran and the force behind a horse sanctuary from Borodyanka, a town occupied in the early months of the war. After losing his brother in combat, he found healing through caring for horses, building a small sanctuary for more than ten rescued animals and inviting local children to connect with them as a form of emotional recovery.

“The children who visit this place made us these paintings. We decided that they would look better here than on dusty shelves.” Volodymyr, Kyiv oblast

But when Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, his stables were burned down. When the region was liberated, he returned to ruins: destroyed buildings and land contaminated with deadly explosives and abandoned munitions.
 
With his military experience and deep knowledge of the terrain, Volodymyr assisted HALO deminers with key information. HALO has since cleared the land where Volodymyr used to graze his horses and grow their feed, along with surrounding plots, making the area safe again. Today, Volodymyr is back on the land with his horses, offering a place of healing for the community once again.

Thanks to your continued support, families are returning home. Farmers are planting again. Children are finding safe ground to grow and learn.

Every mine cleared is one less danger in the lives of Ukrainians trying to rebuild. Thank you!