Humanitarian Demining and Reforestation: HI and Communities Building the Future Together

Mine clearance and reforestation: Two complementary actions to prepare for the future

In Colombia, HI carries out humanitarian demining operations to restore security in areas affected by armed violence, paving the way for a peaceful and more prosperous future. Removing the threat allows residents to move around their land safely.

However, humanitarian demining is demanding and meticulous work, sometimes requiring vegetation to be cleared to check that it is not concealing mines or other explosive devices. This is the case in the municipality of Carepa, in north-western Colombia, where Arbey Pino, a deminer with HI, has been working. He explains:

"To clear mines, we often have to clear the ground and sometimes it is necessary to cut down trees. So, to mitigate the impact of our actions, we decided to replant trees. We want communities to be able to feed themselves with the fruits, but the aim is also to prevent soil erosion near rivers and promote the planting of species native to the region."

Arbey, himself a native of the region, continues: "With these trees, we are planting not only vegetation, but also hope for a better future. As the farmers have said, some of these trees will take at least 40 years to grow, and it will be their children and grandchildren who will reap the rewards. This faith in the future is very encouraging."

Protecting the land and its inhabitants, and promoting a dignified life

Humanitarian demining work and all related activities not only give communities the freedom to move around their territory, but also the hope of rebuilding dignified and sustainable lives. As part of its sustainable development initiatives, HI has distributed and planted 600 fruit and timber trees in Carepa, all native to the region. These trees were planted on farms, around homes and near water sources to offset the environmental impact of humanitarian demining operations, protect water sources and improve food security for communities.

Reforestation encourages sustainable practices for the collective well-being: farming families, community leaders and schools were all involved. As Wilfred, a natural sciences teacher in Carepa explains: "We are planting trees with the children to give back to the community what has been destroyed or damaged by many years of conflict. These are actions that benefit us today, but also protect the water, oxygen and future of the entire region."

Oscar Graciano, 31, a farmer in Carepa and community leader, says: "The HI teams came to clear mines, but they also helped us with other projects, such as building accessible latrines in the village school. Today's tree planting is very important to me because it contributes not only to reforestation but also to the sustainability of our homes."

"I am very happy because thanks to HI, we can now walk, farm and raise animals safely on our land. To go to school, my daughter walks along paths that were previously unsafe, but now I am no longer afraid. These trees that have been given to us will grow on safe land; we will cultivate them and harvest their fruit without fear of dying from a mine.”

In departments such as Córdoba, Antioquia, Cauca and Nariño, communities face risks related to the presence of explosive devices, forced displacement and confinement of populations, and threats against social leaders. In response to this situation, HI's actions have achieved significant results between 2023 and 2025: the securing of thousands of square metres of field, the destruction of explosive devices and the delivery of mine risk awareness workshops to more than 1,000 people.