Protect Families in Ukraine

Just a few weeks ago, on February 24, 2026, Ukraine marked four years of war.

In that time, it has become the most heavily mined country in the world. Millions of explosives now contaminate farmland, roads, and neighborhoods—places where families once lived, worked, and played.

HALO has worked in Ukraine for more than a decade. But since 2022, the scale of the challenge has grown dramatically.

Because of supporters like you, our teams have been able to meet this moment and help communities begin to rebuild. 

Here are a few ways you’re bringing hope to Ukrainian communities.

1. Land Made Safe

Since March 2022, deminers have cleared more than 4,000 acres – an area equivalent to nearly 3,000 football fields – for people to live, travel, and farm without fear. And, to date, teams have removed nearly 59,000 explosive devices.

In 2022, the Ukrainian government estimated that 43 million acres were potentially awash with explosives. This meant entire communities were cut off from using their land, accessing crucial infrastructure, and returning to their homes. 

But by flying drones over impacted communities and analyzing imagery from satellites, teams gathered crucial data that helped confirm over seven million acres – an area the size of Massachusetts – is safe for use. This reduced the amount of potentially dangerous land by nearly 20 percent.

On land where people were once afraid to step foot, families now have the confidence to rebuild their lives.

2. Lifesaving Lessons

For families and communities living among landmines, knowledge saves lives. Risk education teaches children and adults alike what explosives look like, what to do if they encounter one, and who to tell so it can be removed safely. This is especially important for children, who often run, play, and explore outside.

After thousands of risk education sessions and educational campaigns, nearly 400,000 people have been equipped with this critical information.

See firsthand the impact you’re making for people like Oleksandr:

More than 80 years ago during World War II, along the Siverskyi Donets river, Oleksandr’s father played a crucial part in liberating a swath of land along the riverbank.

Today, this land belongs to Oleksandr. With a deep love for the territory instilled in him by his father, he has carefully looked after it for more than two decades. Today, locals affectionately call the settlement “Golden Bay” for its shallow waters, sandy banks, and picturesque atmosphere.

But in 2022, fighting left the area littered with dangerous explosives. The trees, which once provided shade to passersby and climbable branches to adventurous children, had been laced with grenades.

Deminers began clearing Oleksandr’s land in late 2023. Today, it has been returned to the local community. Golden Bay is once again safe for residents and tourists alike to walk, farm, and let their children play without fear.

“People feel much safer now. A year ago, no one would have dared to stand here,” said Oleksandr.

His story is just one of the many transformations happening in Ukraine. Though the fighting continues, so do hope, revival, and resilience – thanks to supporters like you.