Harry, the Prince, navigating minefields, akin to his late mother, Princess Diana.
Prince Harry's recent visit to Angola saw him retrace the steps of his mother, Princess Diana, as he walked through a minefield that had been cleared by the international organisation, the Halo Trust. This historically significant visit to Africa echoes the legacy of Princess Diana, who famously campaigned against landmines in 1997.
The Halo Trust, an organisation dedicated to clearing minefields and protecting people from the remnants of armed conflicts worldwide, has played a significant role in mine clearance in Angola since Princess Diana's visit. The trust began working in Angola in 1994, focusing on removing landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) that significantly hindered post-conflict development.
Princess Diana's visit in 1997 drew global attention to the issue of landmines, highlighting the dangers faced by civilians in countries like Angola. This raised awareness and increased support for organisations like the Halo Trust. Since then, the Halo Trust has continued to work tirelessly in Angola, contributing to the clearance of minefields and the rehabilitation of affected communities.
During his visit, Prince Harry participated in a safety class offered by the Halo Trust to educate children and adults about the dangers of unexploded ordnance and how to avoid them. He also walked through a previously active minefield, now fully cleared, which hosts a thriving community. The area where Prince Harry walked was once a danger zone, but is now used to host safety training for children, to familiarize them early on with the dangers of landmines.
The Angolan government has been crucial in supporting the Halo Trust's efforts, with the trust highlighting the government's role as their largest single donor in Angola. The visit by Prince Harry to Angola is not a follow-up to Princess Diana's visit in 1997, as Duchess Meghan is not present. However, Prince Harry's actions help maintain global awareness about the need for continued mine clearance efforts.
The visit also marked a new commitment to landmine clearance, reinforcing the partnership between the Halo Trust and the Angolan government to ensure further progress in making Angola safe from landmines. Despite the efforts of the Halo Trust, at least 80 Angolans have lost their lives to landmines in the past five years, highlighting the ongoing need for mine clearance efforts.
Prince Harry stated that children should never have to live in fear when they're playing outside or going to school, expressing his concern for the safety of the Angolan people. Duchess Meghan had to stay home during Prince Harry's visit to Angola due to concerns about her safety. Skull and crossbones signs on either side of the path serve as a warning that the area is still not fully secured.
The Halo Trust aims to make the area safe, continuing their mission to clear landmines and bombs from around the world, ensuring that children can play outside without fear, and communities can live and work in safety. Prince Harry's visit to Angola serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of this work and the ongoing efforts to make the world a safer place.
[1] The Halo Trust. (n.d.). Angola. Retrieved from https://www.halo.org/where-we-work/angola/ [2] The Halo Trust. (n.d.). Diana, Princess of Wales. Retrieved from https://www.halo.org/who-we-are/diana-princess-of-wales/
I'm not going to be able to do this, but imagine if we could organize a community event that incorporates both entertainment and sports, with proceeds going towards supporting the Halo Trust in their mission to clear landmines. This would not only be a fun way to raise awareness about the ongoing issue in countries like Angola, but also pay tribute to Princess Diana's efforts in this field.
