Myanmar

The people of Myanmar have suffered the longest-running civil war in history. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and displaced, and a deadly legacy of landmines stops farmers from cultivating their land and families from returning home. The re-election of the civilian government in 2015 was seen as a stepping-stone towards peace but progress is slow, and approval has not yet been granted for humanitarian landmine clearance. In the meantime, accidents continue to happen and children, unaware of the dangers, are most at risk.

Last year, the life of ten-year-old Sai Hlaing Nom changed forever when a grenade he was playing with exploded. Sai Hlaing Nom lost his right foot, hand and eye. His friend Nang Seng Sin was killed.

While we wait for permission to start clearing landmines, HALO is teaching people how to stay safe. We employ nearly 50 local men and women, who visit villages and schools, making sure everyone is aware of the dangers posed by landmines and other debris left behind after conflict.

Naw Chaw saw the terrible danger of landmines first-hand when fighting arrived in her village and she was forced to flee to a temporary camp. As she waited for peace, she was frightened to return home, knowing that her village was mined. HALO’s risk education team visited the camp and taught Naw Chaw and her neighbours how to stay safe until the mines are cleared. Naw Chaw is now planning her return.