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Croatia
Mine Action
Humanitarian demining
From 1998 to 1999, FSD carried out one of its first humanitarian demining projects in the village of Kusonje, in eastern 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.
Located on a former front line in eastern Croatia, a place tragically marked by a deadly ambush during the conflict, the village of Kusonje was the site of intense fighting and was almost entirely destroyed, leading to the displacement of a large part of its population.
While homes had been partially secured after the conflict, agricultural land remained inaccessible, preventing residents from resuming their livelihoods.
FSD in Croatia
2,000
casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war between 1991 and 2020
1st
humanitarian demining NGO active in 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.
The operation focused on agricultural land, access routes, and the surroundings of the village church, a central place for community cohesion. In total, 40,972 square metres were processed between June and August 1999. Although no mines or unexploded ordnance were found, the intervention helped remove a major source of uncertainty and restore community confidence, which was essential for the resumption of agricultural activities. This unexpected outcome also highlights the limitations of the information available at the time to accurately identify contaminated areas after the conflict.
A country now free from landmines
Although Croatia was long affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war, significant progresswas made over the years. Large hazardous areas were cleared, with the remaining contamination concentrated in mountainous and rugged terrain, making operations more complex. The country officially became mine-free in March 2026, marking a major milestone in its recovery.
From Bosnia to Ukraine
Discover our story
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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