Our history

As the war in Ukraine intensifies, FSD has quadrupled its workforce and deployed mechanical demining machines to increase the efficiency of its operations.

The Iraqi NGO SHO, trained by FSD, becomes the first national organisation accredited for demining. FSD transferred six demining and explosive ordnance risk education teams to the organisation.

In the Central African Republic, FSD launches an infrastructure rehabilitation project to strengthen the country’s stability and implements a reintegration programme for former combatants.

FSD deploys its first all-female demining teams in Iraq, promoting inclusivity in a sector where women remain underrepresented.

FSD resumes its mine action programme in Iraq. Launch of a peacebuilding support project in the Central African Republic.

FSD launches a new mine action project in Ukraine. The organisation obtains its first ISO 9001 certification, recognising the quality of its management systems.

In Mali, FSD assesses the army’s weapons and ammunition stockpile management capacities and conducts training to strengthen its skills.

Launch of a capacity-building programme in humanitarian demining in Armenia. Completion of operations in Sri Lanka, where more than 1,000 deminers were trained.

Start of assessments on pollution caused by former mining activities in Kyrgyzstan. Deployment of demining teams in Libya and South Sudan.

First tests of mine detection drones in Libya. Launch of an environmental project to rehabilitate former uranium mining sites in Tajikistan.

Launch of a programme to destroy obsolete weapons and ammunition stockpiles in Tajikistan.

FSD is mandated to assess demining needs in Angola. Creation of Crosstech S.A., a commercial subsidiary fully owned and managed by FSD.

In Mozambique, FSD launches a programme to strengthen national demining capacities. Opening of an office in Manila dedicated to accounting, logistics and administrative management.

In Sri Lanka, FSD teams temporarily suspend demining operations to assist survivors of the tsunami. FSD establishes its sister organisation in France: the association FSD France.

FSD becomes one of the first NGOs in French-speaking Switzerland to obtain ZEWO certification. Mine action programmes are launched in Burundi and Laos.

New demining operation in support of the World Food Programme, this time in Iraq. Simultaneous launch of mine action programmes in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Launch of large-scale demining operations in Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.

In Afghanistan, FSD deploys demining teams under a cooperation agreement with the World Food Programme to ensure the safe delivery of humanitarian aid.

FSD launches demining operations in Albania while continuing its efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo.

Start of FSD’s first large-scale operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Croatia, where explosive remnants of war continue to cause numerous civilian casualties.

The first humanitarian demining project is launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A group of Swiss citizens founds the “Fédération suisse de déminage”.