05 January 2004, 18:04
The HALO Trust finds it possible to clear Nagorny Karabakh from mines in 7 years
The HALO Trust, a British humanitarian organization specializing in the removal of the debris of war in post-conflict zones, has been working in Nagorny Karabakh since February 2000. In 2003, the activity of the organization was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Netherlands Government and private donations.
One part of HALO's activity in 2003 was a program to raise people's awareness of danger the mines represent. 18 accidents when people hit landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) were registered on the territory of Karabakh by The HALO Trust in 2003. 21 people suffered as a result. 9 of them died.
The two-year prospecting made by the organization on the territory of Nagorny Karabakh showed that the area of 1,500 hectares must be immediately cleared from 15,000 mines of different types.
Since 2000, The HALO Trust has cleared or recognized to be not mined 148 mine fields on the territory of 540 hectares. About 4,600 hectares of agricultural and industrial earth have been cleared from UXO. HALO finds it possible to clear all the priority mine fields in seven years, keeping today's rate of work.
Source: REGNUM News Agency
