Armenian Foreign Ministry Comments on US Decision to Halt Funding for Mine Clearance Programs

The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Artsakh commented on information regarding the United States' decision to cease funding for projects by 'The HALO Trust' in Artsakh. Below is the response from the Information and Public Relations Department of the Artsakh Foreign Ministry.

Question: How do you comment on the information about the US halting funding for the projects implemented by the international NGO 'The HALO Trust' in Artsakh?

Answer: The funding for humanitarian mine clearance programs presented by 'The HALO Trust' organization has been provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in accordance with the established timeline and allocated budget, and it was completed in 2020. However, humanitarian mine clearance activities in Artsakh have not yet been completed, and threats from mines still persist for the population of Artsakh.

Humanitarian mine clearance is of significant importance for the people of Artsakh, as it ensures the safety of the civilian population, facilitates movement, and creates conditions for economic and social activities. In this context, the decision to halt funding for the program is regrettable.

It is noteworthy that the US Congress continues discussions on the draft bill regarding external financial allocations for the next fiscal year, and 75 Congress members have addressed a letter to the leadership of the appropriations committee, calling for the allocation of financial resources in the 2021 budget to ensure the continuity of mine clearance work in Artsakh.

At the same time, representatives of the US authorities have announced that they are considering the possibility of implementing other projects in Artsakh. We remain hopeful that the US government will continue to support the implementation of other programs aimed at addressing development and humanitarian issues in Artsakh.

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the people and government of the United States for their long-standing support to Artsakh, which has resulted in numerous projects being implemented.