Our history
FSD implemented its first demining project in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1998. Since then, our deminers have cleared more than 1.4 million explosive devices. Read about our key moments here!
Two FSD non-technical survey team members interviewing a resident about potential contamination. (Ukraine, 2024)
Timeline
Key milestones
Since its creation in 1997, FSD has worked in around 30 countries on four continents. Our teams have secured an area equivalent to 12,000 football pitches.
2024
In 2024, FSD significantly strengthened its presence in Ukraine, with more than 650 staff deployed to clear the land. That same year, FSD also expanded its footprint in Tajikistan, becoming the largest humanitarian demining actor in the country.
2022
Due to the armed conflict in Ukraine, FSD drastically increased its staff, acquired several machines, and operated in the provinces of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mykolaiv. A large-scale collaboration with the United Nations was implemented to demine agricultural areas.
2021
As part of a local capacity building project and after eight months of training, the Iraqi NGO SHO has become the first Iraqi organisation accredited to clear landmines. Subsequently, FSD successfully transferred six demining and explosive ordnance risk education teams to SHO.
2020
In the Central African Republic, a major infrastructure rehabilitation project is ongoing. The aim is to rebuild the country’s stability through the deployment of security forces and the reintegration of former rebel combatants.
2018
FSD deploys its first female demining teams In Iraq. Demining capacities in Ukraine are considerably increased.
2015
FSD restarts its mine action programme in Iraq. In the Central African Republic, FSD initiates a security sector reform project and conducts risk education sessions.
2014
FSD starts a new mine action programme in Ukraine. The organisation obtains its first ISO 9001 certification.
2013
Initiation of an assessment of the Malian army’s capacity to manage stocks of weapons and ammunition, followed by a series of training sessions. In addition, the training of mine risk education instructors is carried out in Mali.
2012
Launch of a national demining capacity building programme in Armenia. End of FSD’s operation in Sri Lanka, which involved over a thousand deminers.
2011
FSD begins assessing former extractive mining sites in Kyrgyzstan and deploys its first demining teams to Libya and South Sudan.
2010
First experience in the deployment of drones in Libya. Launch of an environmental project to rehabilitate former uranium production sites in Tajikistan.
2008
Implementation of a new programme for the destruction of obsolete weapons and ammunition stockpiles in Tajikistan.
2007
Start of FSD’s involvement in mine action in Angola. FSD is mandated by the Angolan government to assess the demining capacities in the country. The company Crosstech S.A, fully owned by FSD, is established.
2006
Launch of a national demining capacity building programme in Mozambique. Establishment of an office in Manila, Philippines, to handle the accounting, logistics and administrative management of FSD’s programmes.
2005
2004
FSD is one of the first NGOs in French-speaking Switzerland to obtain the ZEWO certification. Mine action programmes are initiated in Burundi and Laos.
2003
New demining operations are implemented in support to the World Food Programme in Iraq. Mine action programmes are launched in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2002
Launch of a large-scale demining operation in Sri Lanka. An agreement is signed with the government of Tajikistan, followed by the deployment of several demining teams in the country.
2001
FSD signs a cooperation agreement with the World Food Programme and deploys demining teams to Afghanistan allowing the humanitarian agency to access potentially mined areas. The demining programme in Lebanon begins.
2000
A major demining operation begins in Albania along the border with Kosovo. An assessment mission is conducted in northwest Pakistan.
1999
Implementation of a mine risk education campaign in primary schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Puppet shows and role-playing techniques are used during those sessions. Reactivation of UNHCR demining teams in the country.
1998
FSD’s first mine action project is launched in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It involves the demining of a part of the Olympic village of Dobrinja, where the front line used to be located. Another demining project begins near a school in Croatia.
1997
A group of Swiss citizens working in the humanitarian sector and concerned about the problem of mines, found the Fédération suisse de déminage. An appeal is launched via the Swiss radio to offer demining training to Kosovar refugees so that they can contribute to the demining of their country.
Our operations
Our current programmes
Ukraine
Mine clearance · Explosive ordnance risk education · Capacity building
Iraq
Mine clearance · Explosive ordnance risk education · Capacity building
The Philippines
Non-technical surveys · Explosive ordnance risk education · Capacity building
Afghanistan
Mine clearance
Colombia
Mine victim assistance
Tajikistan
Environmental remediation · Resilience to climate change · Mine clearance · Explosive ordnance risk education
Central African Republic
Disarmament and reintegration · Socio-economic support to communities
