Landmines, bombs, and other explosive hazards continue to claim thousands of innocent lives across more than 60 countries. In Ukraine, Laos, Syria, Colombia, Yemen and beyond, families are waiting to return home and farm their land, but explosive remnants of war block their path. Schools encircled by landmines remain closed as children wait day after day to restart their education.
Together, we can put an end to these senseless deaths and allow communities to thrive. HALO's demining work transforms former battlefields into farms, homes, and hospitals, and allows children to safely attend school.
Please urge your Member of Congress to support for humanitarian demining programs and save lives.
Dear Senator/Representative,
As your constituent and a supporter of the HALO Trust, I want to urge your office to support life-saving global landmine removal programs in the FY24 State Department budget.
Given the importance of these programs, I hope I can count on you to support $290 million for Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) programs in the FY24 State and Foreign Operations budget, under the NADR section of the State Department budget. Please sign onto relevant appropriations sign-on letters supporting this request.
State Department conventional weapons destruction (CWD) programs prevent casualties, promote economic development, allow safe access for other forms of humanitarian aid, enable the return of displaced families, remove hazards that could harm U.S. troops, bolster stability, protect human rights, and ensure that the U.S. fulfills its commitment to removing its legacy ordnance. CWD programs also keep weapons, such as man-portable air defense systems, out of the wrong hands, that could otherwise fuel violence, threatening U.S. national security.
CWD programs see strong bipartisan support and are widely considered to be an effective form of U.S. foreign assistance.
Thank you for your leadership on this important issue!
[Your comment here]
Sincerely,
[Your name here]
