Conflicts ends, but the weapons of war remain. For decades after the final shots are fired, anti-personnel mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to kill and maim civilians, long outlasting the political grievances that led to their deployment. These "silent killers" are a persistent threat that paralyzes entire communities, turning farmland into death traps and preventing displaced families from ever truly coming home.
Golden Heart, in partnership with global demining experts, is committed to a mine-free world. Our work focuses not only on the physical removal of these weapons but also on the rehabilitation of survivors and the education of children who live in contaminated areas.
Mine Action Report
Over 60 million people still live in areas contaminated by landmines and ERW. Every hour, a civilian—often a child—is injured or killed by a weapon that should have been a relic of the past.
The process of demining is slow, dangerous, and expensive. It requires specialized sensors, highly trained personnel, and, increasingly, advanced technology like drone-based thermal imaging. But for every mine removed, a field is restored, and a child can play without fear. "When we clear a field, we're not just removing a weapon; we're giving a community back its future," says Dr. Julian Thorne, a senior technical advisor for Golden Heart’s Mine Action program.
The human cost is measured not just in lives lost, but in the physical and psychological scars of those who survive. Golden Heart has supported prosthetic clinics and trauma recovery centers in eight countries, ensuring that survivors of mine blasts receive the long-term care they need to reclaim their independence. Support for survivors is a lifelong commitment, as children who are injured require multiple prosthetic changes as they grow.
Advocacy is just as important as demining. We are a vocal supporter of the Mine Ban Treaty and other international instruments that seek to stigmatize and eliminate the use of anti-personnel mines. We believe that these weapons belong solely to the past and have no place in a humane future.
Your support for Golden Heart directly funds demining teams and rehabilitation services. It provides the sensors, the training, and the prosthetics that turn tragedy into resilience. Together, we can clear the path to a safer, mine-free world.