Jakup Bujupi is a humble farmer and proud grandfather. He lives in Kosovo, in a white two-story house enveloped by a vast yard and greenery all around. On the surface, his life seems idyllic and peaceful. However, beneath this tranquility lies a stark reminder of the lingering horrors of war.
In June 2023, HALO discovered a chilling artifact – a BLU-97 cluster sub-munition – just 10cm (about the length of a credit card) from where Jakup was planting a tree in front of his house. They used a Schonstedt GA-72Cd Magnetic Locator to identify and clear this unexploded cluster bomb.
[left] Jakup Bujupi stands in front of his house where a buried cluster bomb was discovered. “If it wasn’t for HALO, I may not be here today with my family. I want to thank the deminers who cleared my yard and Schonstedt for the devices that found the bomb so close to my home,” he says.
This year, Kosovo celebrates the 25th anniversary of the end of the devastating Kosovo War. But despite its progress towards stability, Kosovo bears the weight of a tumultuous past. Thousands of unexploded cluster bombs, remnants of the 1999 war, remain unseen across its seemingly serene landscape.
Jakup represents a generation who have witnessed the trials of war and the rebuilding of life that comes after. He represents the people of Kosovo who persist in their hope for a better future, despite the threats lurking beneath the surface.
HALO Trust is on a mission to eliminate these hidden threats. The Schonstedt Magnetic Locator is a powerful ally in this mission – playing a pivotal role in the identification and clearance of unexploded ordnances for22 of the 25 years since the war.
Shkëlzen Zeqa, HALO Team Supervisor, says “I have been working with the Schonstedt locator for 22 years. It’s very practical and precise, and the four settings are easy to understand. It is also the most suitable due to its size and weight. Thanks to this locator, hundreds of sub-munitions have been found and destroyed and many lives saved.”
The Challenge
Kosovo’s unique topography is marked by dense vegetation, rugged terrain, and steep slopes – adding layers of complexity to the already delicate process of mine clearance. Unpredictable weather conditions further intensify the challenges faced by the HALO Demining Team. Enter Schonstedt Magnetic Locators – well-known for their precision and ruggedness, they have become HALO’s primary method of search in Kosovo’s demanding landscape.
Making Schonstedt locators stand out is not only their robustness and accuracy but also their distinctive yellow color, which has evolved into a symbol of hope in the region. In this intricate dance with nature and history, HALO and Schonstedt lead the way towards a safer Kosovo where the beauty of the land can be enjoyed without the fear of unseen dangers.
[left] Kaltrim Hoxha, Assistant Team Leader, says “I like working with the Schonstedt because it's easy to use and suitable for tasks with dense vegetation and steep terrains. It helps us do our job easier and safer.”
With every inch of land cleared, Kosovo draws closer to the finish line in its marathon to becoming completely mine and UXO-free. This final push is the most difficult, and Schonstedt Magnetic Locators are proving to be indispensable. 25 years since the war ended, HALO has cleared over 5,700 cluster bombs and returned over 16 million square meters (the size of around 3000 football fields) safely back to communities across Kosovo.
Envision the sun setting over Jakup’s house, casting a warm glow on the yard and scenery that surrounds him. This is a hard-won peace that demands constant vigilance and commitment to clearing the scars left behind by war.
About the HALO Trust-Schonstedt Collaboration
The HALO Trust is the world’s largest mine clearance charity that is operational today in 25 countries across the world. It was instrumental in enabling Princess Diana’s iconic minefield walk in Angola, which shot the landmine issue to international prominence in 1997.
Through the Schonstedt Humanitarian Demining Initiative (SHDI), Schonstedt has deployed over 600 magnetic locators in more than 30 affected countries. By partnering with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and The US State Department, Schonstedt works with organizations like The HALO Trust which have demining teams committed to making land safe and saving lives.
