Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea – A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on Thursday by the President of The Autonomous Region of Bougainville (ARoB), H.E. Ishmael Toroama, and The HALO Trust. The agreement, supported by a U.S. government grant, focuses on addressing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the ARoB.
The $2.25 million funding from the U.S. government will be used by The HALO Trust to manage UXO projects in both Bougainville and Oro Province. The MOA outlines several key activities: surveying and mapping UXO-contaminated areas, excavating hazardous zones to remove buried ordnance, providing risk education in schools and community facilities, and employing local residents for training purposes.
Ann Marie Yastishock, U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, emphasized the importance of this partnership: “Signing this MOA with the Autonomous Region of Bougainville is the first step to The HALO Trust conducting this important work addressing unexploded ordinance.” She highlighted that the project aims to increase local response capacity while reducing risks associated with UXOs.
ABG President Ishmael Toroama expressed gratitude for the collaboration: “On behalf of the people of Bougainville, I extend our sincere gratitude to The HALO Trust and the United States Government for this important partnership." He noted that it represents more than just a clearance operation but an investment in safety and wellbeing.
Simon Conway, Head of New Programs for The HALO Trust, also expressed optimism about working alongside Bougainville communities: “We look forward to working with the people of Bougainville to remove the legacy of WWII bombs so that they can go about their business safely.”
The HALO Trust is a charity based in both the U.S. and Britain dedicated to protecting lives affected by conflict.