Croatia
Landmines left behind from the war of independence
By the late 1990s, minefields remaining from Croatia’s war of independence still posed a serious threat to local communities, limiting access to farmland and essential infrastructure. Between 1991 and 2020, almost 2,000 people were killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war across the country.
FSD’s first humanitarian demining mission in Croatia
Commissioned by the Swiss association Causes Communes and funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, FSD conducted its first humanitarian demining operation in Croatia between 1998 and 1999, in the village of Kusonje in eastern Croatia — a place tragically known for a deadly ambush during the conflict.
Goal of becoming mine-free by 2026
Although Croatia remains partially contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war, significant progress has been made in recent years. Large hazardous areas have already been cleared, while the remaining contaminated regions are mainly located in mountainous and rugged terrain, making clearance operations more challenging. The country has set itself the goal of becoming completely mine-free by 2026.
For nearly 30 years, FSD has been working to make land safer. Explore the key milestones of our humanitarian work since our first demining operation in 1998.
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