The HALO Trust representatives have responded to a written query by the Voice of America Armenian Service, and with respect to their demining activities in Artsakh (Nagorno-Nagorno Karabakh).

Accordingly, this demining program has helped over 80 percent of the population of Karabakh, sharply reducing the number of civilians affected by landmines and explosives, and thousands of acres of land were returned for safe and productive use.

As per the HALO Trust representatives, even though the US is the only country currently funding the HALO Trust demining activities in Karabakh, this organization also receives funding from private charitable foundations and individuals.

But the representatives of HALO Trust added that the US has always been the pillar of this organization’s programs in Karabakh, and therefore a termination of this US funding will force the HALO Trust to considerably reduce its activities in Karabakh, this will leave hundreds of people there without jobs, and such a move will also indefinitely delay the prospect for a Karabakh without landmines.

Despite the US administration’s final decision to whether or not continue funding the HALO Trust activities in Karabakh, its representatives have noted that this organization does not plan to leave Karabakh, and it remains committed to protecting civilians and their property.