The HALO Trust is a charity clearing landmines, and other dangerous explosives, in NagornoKarabakh.In September, it will officially launch a campaign – Safe Steps for the people of Karabakh – to clear all the minefields that threaten civilians by 2020.

Here’s some of the work already completed.

GHADJAR VILLAGE CLEARED OF MINES

Ghadjar village is located in Martuni region with a population of 198 people - forty families in all. During the war the village was on the front line and saw heavy fighting, with anti-personnel and anti-tank mines laid around the village by both sides.

We started clearance in Ghadjar in January 2005 and completed the last remaining minefield on the 15th of March 2016.

Here is the village’s story, as HALO hands over the last former minefield (now mine free) back to the village mayor.

 

THE YOUNGEST GIRL IN THE MINEFIELD

 Varditer is one of HALO’s female deminers in Nagorno Karabakh. She works hard during the week and her wages support her twelve siblings.

“I am happy that we do something good for the nation. After our work, nobody else will explode or get injured,” says Varditer.

Here's her story.