Sir Gavin Williamson has spoken with representatives from HALO trust, an organisation dedicated to mine clearance in areas devastated by war.
Sir Gavin attended a parliamentary event with HALO trust, to discuss what can be done to tackle the circulation of small arms and light weapons in West Africa. The organisation has been working on a campaign to demonstrate how the management of the weapon and ammunition life cycle can help curb levels of armed violence in the area. The organisation has done remarkable work for 35 years, with thousands of volunteers risking their lives to prevent the loss of life caused by land mine explosions. Sir Gavin was keen to meet with the organisation’s representatives to congratulate their milestone reached last year of 2 million mines cleared, and to discuss how he can support the charity, which operates in over 30 countries worldwide.
Sir Gavin said: “I was pleased to meet again with HALO, an organisation that I’m proud to be an ambassador of, to discuss their new initiatives which will no doubt save thousands of lives. Based in countries from Columbia to Ethiopia to Ukraine, the HALO trust trains locals to clear landmines from their communities, manage the circulation of weaponry, and ultimately re-build their lives after the devastation of war. I’m proud to have worked with the HALO trust and in 2024 aim to do as much as I can to support their international project.”
