Minister Brophy condemns attack on humanitarian demining workers in Afghanistan

The Minister for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy TD, today condemned the attack on 8 June in Afghanistan on staff of the HALO Trust. The attack on the demining team, in the Northeastern province of Baghlan in Afghanistan, killed at least ten HALO Trust staff and injured 16 others.

Responding to this attack, Minister Brophy said:

"I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on 8 June in Afghanistan on staff of the HALO Trust. This was a cowardly attack on workers carrying out essential demining operations to clear land contaminated by mines and other unexploded devices, so that local communities can live in a safe environment, with improved quality of life and opportunities.

"Ireland offers sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and a swift recovery to all those who have been injured.

"We also extend our sympathies to the staff of the HALO Trust, which is a long-standing and valued partner of Irish Aid. HALO Trust plays a hugely significant international humanitarian demining role in the removal of mines and hazardous debris of war.

"Ireland, through Irish Aid, has supported the HALO Trust since the 1990s and has provided support to HALO’s demining activities in Afghanistan for over 15 years."

Notes

HALO Trust was established in 1988 and is a key humanitarian demining operator. It works to protect lives and restore livelihoods threatened by landmines and the debris of war.

It specialises in the removal of the hazardous debris of war and has over 6,000 full-time staff worldwide.

Halo Trust is one of Irish Aid’s key partners in the area of humanitarian demining. It has been a partner of Irish Aid since the 1990s, initially for its work in Kosovo and Mozambique. Irish Aid currently supports HALO Trust demining programmes in Afghanistan, Colombia, Somalia, South Sudan and Zimbabwe.