Provision of child-friendly Explosive Ordnance Risk Education and Quick Response Capacity for the humanitarian clearance of explosive ordnance in Afghanistan. Under this project, The HALO Trust will deploy seven quick response teams (QRT) to carry out explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), survey, explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), and victim data collection. Two dedicated EORE specific teams will also be deployed under this project. HALO has added additional EORE beneficiaries to this project in recognition of the heightened period of risk to communities who have been displaced by recent transitions in Afghan governance, with IDP movements being a well-established trigger for increased accidents resulting from ERW due to unfamiliarity with mine-laying history. EORE will have a specific child safety focus, in recognition of the prevalence of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) incidents involving children. HALO will work closely with the Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) who will determine the work plan for the teams, as per the existing process, in order to systematically respond to country-wide call-outs from communities in need. 

This project will seek to reduce the extent and impact of explosive remnants of war in 12 provinces listed in the work-plan. This will be achieved through a multi-faceted approach including: i) survey, marking and clearance of hazardous items, ii) collection of victim data, and facilitation of referral needs to health partners iii) provision of explosive ordnance risk education with a specific emphasis on child-friendly sessions iv) capacity development to the wider child protection community through training of trainers, thereby significantly increasing the ability of protection partners to provide life-saving explosive ordnance messaging to at-risk communities across Afghanistan. 

The project will support seven quick response teams, and two dedicated EORE teams. EORE teams will be mixed gender to support achievement of gender inclusive outcomes. Each QRT team will consist of: a team leader (EOD 3 qualified), an assistant team leader (EOD 3 qualified), and two deminers/medics. Mixed gender EORE teams will consist of: a team leader and an EORE assessor. Additionally, the project will also include two community mobilisers, who work to ensure access, as well as high levels of community acceptance in areas of intervention. 

Activities: 
Survey and EOD: Conduct non-technical and technical survey, spot EOD tasks, and clearance of small confirmed hazardous areas. Respond to requests for ERW clearance received by DMAC’s hotline, or by local community members. HALO has so far responded to 290 EOD requests across the country through the hotline.

Provision of child-friendly explosive ordnance risk education to populations in mine-affected areas. Mixed gender teams will ensure that women, men, girls and boys are reached. Furthermore, the inclusion of specific child-friendly materials will support the ability of teams to put an additional emphasis on reaching children who are proven to be at specifically high risk of accidents relating to explosive hazards. 

Victim data collection: HALO will collect data on casualties from explosive hazards in areas where QRT and EORE teams are operating. Data collected will be shared with both the DMAC, and when possible, referrals to health cluster partners will be completed. As in previous QRT projects, data will be collected in coordination with government, UN agencies and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs). HALO has as existing working relationship with cluster health partner HealthNet TPO and will continue to provide support for victims to access health services as relevant.  

Capacity development of child-protection partners through EORE training of trainers: Child protection partners will receive training by the EORE teams on key messaging and safe behaviours to improve capacity of cluster to disseminate safety messages and materials to at-risk communities across Afghanistan.