Humanitarian demining

Armed conflicts leave behind thousands of landmines and unexploded ordnance, which continue to threaten civilian populations long after the fighting has ended. Humanitarian demining involves locating and removing these explosive devices. Discover our work in the field.

FSD-Afghanistan-Deminer in the field (August 2023)

What is humanitarian demining?

Every episode of combat leaves behind numerous unexploded ordnance — between 1% and 40%, depending on the terrain, weapon type, and age. These unexploded items remain dangerous for decades. In addition, there are often anti-personnel or anti-tank mines. Every day, children are injured or killed by mines and remnants from wars they have never even known.

Humanitarian demining involves locating and removing these explosive remnants of war. Unlike military demining, which serves tactical objectives, humanitarian demining aims for the complete and lasting elimination of explosive devices to protect civilian populations, facilitate the return of displaced people, and enable reconstruction and the resumption of agriculture.

Humanitarian demining not only includes locating, neutralising, and destroying explosive devices, but also conducting preliminary surveys to identify, map, and mark contaminated areas.

How FSD operates in the field

FSD recruits and trains local personnel in humanitarian demining. Operations begin with the collection of information, notably from local residents, and drone surveys to identify and map potentially dangerous areas.

Once these areas are marked, deminers are deployed in the field with their metal detectors. When a signal is detected, they carefully dig; if an explosive device is found, it is neutralised and then safely destroyed. In certain contexts, teams also use specialised machines and dogs to speed up the work.

At the end of operations, the cleared land is officially handed back to the communities, allowing them to live there safely once again.

Our impact since 1997

+1,400,000

landmines and explosive remnants neutralised

+470

square kilometres cleared