Calum Craig

Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager (Global) at The HALO Trust - views my own / RT’s not endorsements

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

As more than 50 countries gather in London for the Global Partnerships Conference this week, focusing on the future of international aid, HALO is calling for long-term, predictable investment in global stabilisation and recovery programmes.

With global conflict spreading and humanitarian aid budgets being cut, displacement, instability and food insecurity are being driven at unprecedented levels.

As we approach the fifth anniversary of NATO’s withdrawal from #Afghanistan, funding has plummeted and tragically civilians, including children, continue to be killed and injured by explosives – the deadly legacy of decades of war.

“We urge delegates to close the humanitarian funding gap – to help us save lives and secure peace for generations to come,” says Dr Farid Homayoun, HALO Afghanistan Programme Manager.

[United Against Malnutrition & Hunger (UAMH) @UnitedAMH]

HALO and the Eleanor Crook Foundation launch policy paper on conflict, food security and nutrition https://t.co/EWCAxQtQqz

[Alan Gemmell MP @alangemmell]

Read my article in the @Daily_Record about why @TheHALOTrust has made the UK a global leader in clearing landmines.

https://t.co/1loI9g9ax0

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

“Empowered woman and girls lead recovery, challenge norms, and build safer and more resilient communities.”

HALO’s Director of Weapons and Ammunition Management, Fiona Kilpatrick-Cooper, gave evidence to the UK International Development Committee’s inquiry into Women, Peace and Security.

Her insights highlighted the critical role women play in post-conflict recovery and community resilience:

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

🎬 HALO was delighted to welcome Foreign Secretary @YvetteCooperMP to our Wilton HQ today, as she announced £4m in new 🇬🇧 @FCDOGovUK funding to clear unexploded bombs in Gaza.

“This funding will allow us to draw on our years of experience to bring trained bomb disposal expertise to Gaza.”

“It is very good news that HALO and the British government are working together on this extremely important endeavour.” said HALO CEO James Cowan.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary spoke directly with HALO teams in the region, who are ready to start work clearing the thousands of tonnes of unexploded munitions in Gaza.

@MAGsaveslives @UNMAS

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

🎬 “Humanitarian mine action is something distinctive that the UK excels at. What we do really matters."

In 2023, 69% of antipersonnel mines cleared by humanitarian organisations across the globe were cleared by two British organisations – HALO and MAG. 🇬🇧

HALO Chief Strategy Officer Rob Thomson, speaking from the #LabourConference in Liverpool, where we hosted a side event alongside @MAGsaveslives and @LabourFPG.

As well as setting up a dummy mine lane with 3d printed landmines, allowing visitors to “see and feel and understand the threat” of mines, we were honoured to have @JennyChapman, Minister for Development, speaking so warmly about our life-saving work and its importance.

Thank you to Baroness Chapman and all our speakers, as well as all those who attended the event.

[The Times and Sunday Times @thetimes]

The Duke of Sussex’s visit to Angola continues his mother’s legacy as mines and bombs continue to kill more than 20 years after the country’s civil war ended https://t.co/hIKLDJNjnp

[Alex Ballinger MP @AlexBallingerMP]

This morning, myself & @LordMcConnell joined 60+ leaders—including 20 MPs, ex-Defence & Development Secretaries, former MI5 & Army chiefs, faith leaders & academics—urging the PM to fund peacebuilding. As a former Royal Marine & aid worker, I know it saves lives. #InvestInPeace

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Former spymasters, military chiefs and leading politicians are among a group of more than 60 public figures to sign a letter urging the prime minister to allocate more of the UK's reduced overseas aid budget to preventing wars

Read more 🔗

https://t.co/arA9cVe744

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

Today, Lord Evans, HALO Chair, has published a joint open letter to the Government in The Times: "In practical terms if you can stop a conflict early then surely that represents good value for money."

https://t.co/9OqWTRPK2q

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

"If we want to secure Britain we must invest in making peace - not just pick up the pieces."

In a piece for today's @thetimes, HALO chair Jonathan Evans sets out why the UK’s aid strategy should focus on the causes of conflict, rather than its symptoms.
https://t.co/nRHYB9ZZao

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

🎥“Palmyra will need to be surveyed and cleared if #Syria is to reclaim this jewel in its heritage.”

HALO's Syria Programme Manager Damian O’Brien describes how, in May 2015, ISIS entered Palmyra, taking control of one Syria’s most famous and historically important sites.

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

We were delighted to offer insights into HALO's work and the realities our teams face on the ground at Saturday's @eu_eeas Open Day.

This event showed why partnerships like the one between HALO and the @EU_FPI are so important. With thanks to the 🇪🇺 EU for its continued support.

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

"Landmines kill and maim long after wars end. The victims are often children."

In this @TalktoAlJazeera interview, our CEO James Cowan discusses all aspects of our life-saving work - from Ukraine to Afghanistan, Syria and beyond.

Watch now on @ajenglish:
https://t.co/VSI3BaGqiK

[EU Service for Foreign Policy Instruments 🌐 @EU_FPI]

We are at the #EuropeDay at the @eu_eeas HQ in Brussels!

Join us & discover how we are putting #EUForeignPolicy into action around the world!

A special guest - Fay - a brilliant Belgian Malino who is helping detect landmines & protect communities is also here to demonstrate her work in action!

[Calvin Bailey MBE MP @CalvinBailey]

First meeting between UK Government and Angola’s Ministry of Defence since 2020. Positive discussion including the continuing role of @TheHALOTrust & @MAGsaveslives in de-mining, helping to achieve Angola’s ambitious target of a mine-free country by 2027. This life-saving work is also vital to achieve shared economic objectives, including the Lobito corridor.

[Fred Thomas MP @FredThomasUK]

I’m proud to support @TheHALOTrust as an Ambassador. HALO’s frontline work clearing landmines, reducing the risk of war, and rebuilding communities is life-changing. A safer world begins with prevention.

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

This week, we’re in 🇨🇭 Geneva for the #NDMUN28 Mine Action Conference.

Today, we’re hosting a side event with @UNDP, @UNEP & @GermanyDiplo, discussing how demining operators can best support reconstruction in urban environments devastated by conflict.

➡️ https://t.co/CTYiWsHmD2

[Jenny Chapman @JennyChapman]

Unexploded mines ruin lives. In the last decade, UK work with @theHaloTrust, @MAGsaveslives and others has cleared over 696 million square metres of mine-affected land. On #MineAwarenessDay, we reaffirm our commitment to the Ottawa Treaty and to demining efforts across the world.

[The HALO Trust @TheHALOTrust]

Thanks to the support of 🇬🇧 @ukinzimbabwe, since 2018 we have been able to clear over 10 square km of land in 🇿🇼 #Zimbabwe, with over 150,000 people benefitting from this vital work.

@FCDOGovUK @MAGsaveslives