International Development Grant
Landmine Action in Colombia
Project Number: CA-3-D002402001
Status: Terminating
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $12,155,143.00
Start Date: January 17, 2017
End Date: April 24, 2025
Duration: 8.3 years
Project Description
After more than fifty years of internal armed conflict Colombia is the second most landmine affected nation in the world. This project will conduct humanitarian demining activities in ten mine-affected municipalities. It will recruit train and deploy civilian landmine survey and manual clearance teams from local communities including ex-combatants. By surveying vulnerable communities and removing landmines in targeted municipalities the project will prevent further accidents; identify safe areas for land restitution; enable the return of internally displaced persons; and restore access to farmland public services and safe routes to markets and schools. The project will benefit over 27 000 people living in some of Colombia’s poorest rural municipalities. It will also create safe conditions for 60 000 displaced persons to return home safely.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) reduced vulnerability to landmine accidents; (2) improved access to land for local residents and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); and (3) improved access to economic opportunities for local communities and ex-combatants particularly women.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (November 2022) include: (1) clearance work conducted directly benefitted 1 263 persons (570 women and girls) and indirectly benefited 5 345 persons (2 591 women and girls); (2) of the staff employed and trained 55% are victims of the conflict and 35% are women; (3) increased land available for economic activities and for the return of internally the displaced population; (4) decreased accidents from landmines mostly affecting vulnerable populations; (5) cleared 272 156 square meters of contaminated land; (6) cleared 120 minefields and handed over 90 to local communities; (7) declared 313 villages as free from contamination and five municipalities as landmine free; and (8) constant involvement of victims of the conflict and former combatants towards community reconstruction. The COVID-19 pandemic highly impacted Colombia which led to mobility restrictions a protracted lockdown and related security issues. Although this slowed some project activities HALO Trust was nevertheless able to make progress as demonstrated in the achievements described above.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
The HALO Trust
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
NGM Americas
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated