Clearing Explosive Hazards in Nagorno Karabakh

Much has changed worldwide during this pandemic, and HALO in Nagorno Karabakh is no different. With little access to healthcare and supplies, many villages in Karabakh would be left defenseless against COVID-19. And as one of the only international NGO’s working in this area, we knew it was part of our responsibility to make sure Karabakh wasn’t left behind in the global COVID response.

So, in addition to clearing deadly landmines and explosives, our teams are also fighting the spread of the pandemic in this region. We have mobilized to distribute hygiene kits and other sanitation supplies to families in remote villages, and we have also outfitted several of our ambulances to assist in transporting COVID patients.

During all this, our teams in Nagorno Karabakh are still saving lives by removing deadly landmines and explosives. But even our usual work looks a little different as our deminers use extra protective gear and distancing measures before deploying to stay safe.

Through all of this change, we are so grateful for our loyal supporters and donors! I know that this pandemic is affecting everyone, which makes your continued support incredibly meaningful during this time. Some of our staff and beneficiaries in Nagorno Karabakh got creative taking photos to thank you for your support. Even Steve, the resident Karabakh program puppy got in on the action. Check out the photos to see!

I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and well.

Sincerely,
Lisa

First, thank you to all our generous supporters! We couldn’t do our life-saving work without you, and we are so grateful to have you on our team.

For our first update, I want to take the time to share with you a bit more about our program in Nagorno Karabakh and to update you on our progress there over the past year.

Nagorno Karabakh is a remote and beautiful place in the South Caucasus but its people have been haunted by landmines for more than two decades. Landmine contamination in Nagorno Karabakh was the result of mine-laying during the Nagorno-Karabakh war. Even though a ceasefire was issued in 1994, today communities still struggle with the fear of landmines. In fact, it has had one of the highest per capita incidences of landmine and unexploded ordnance accidents in the world—a quarter of the victims are children.

Like Oksen, most Karabakhis living in mined areas are dependent on agricultural land or woodland to support their families, a dangerous task among landmines.

“I am the only resident left in the village. Fourteen families with twenty children lived here, but they moved to other villages where development is possible without the landmines.” - Oksen, Nagorno Karabakh

Since 2000, HALO has cleared almost 500 minefields in Nagorno Karabakh, making land safe and transforming the lives of more than 130,000 people. We visit schools and communities to teach people, especially children, how to stay safe until all the landmines are gone.

Last year alone in Nagorno Karabakh, HALO:

• Cleared over 300 landmines and items of unexploded ordnance
• Made over 62 acres of land safe
• Educated over 5,700 adults and children on how to recognize and avoid dangerous explosives 
• Provided over 270 jobs to support local families and communities

Despite HALO’s tremendous progress, there is still work to be done. A generous anonymous donor has agreed to match all gifts – giving us the opportunity to double our impact in Nagorno Karabakh.

I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress throughout the year ahead!

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