- International Projects -
- Middle East -
2008 REMOVAL OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION IN AFGHANISTAN
HALO has been the leading agency in the destruction of surplus and unwanted weapons and ammunition in Afghanistan since 2003. Most of the weapons that have been disposed of have been voluntarily surrendered by compliant commanders as a condition for joining the new government.
But weapons that have not been surrendered still exist. Because of this, the emphasis has switched to uncovering remote and hidden caches of weapons. The discovery and disposal of the hidden weapons means that they will not become tools for anti-government elements within the country. To efficiently find these hidden caches, mechanical assistance – a hydrema (a light tractor with front bucket and backhoe) – is needed for excavation.
The Foundation, with a matching grant from the U.S. Department of State, has committed to fund armor upgrades to two existing hydremas for use in uncovering and destroying additional buried caches of weapons in Afghanistan.
For more information, visit www.HaloUsa.org
2007 JBF PARTNERS WITH HALO USA IN NAGORNO KARABAKH MINE CLEARANCE PROJECTS
The Foundation is providing for the training, equipping and deployment of additional HALO demining and Battle Area Clearance (BAC) in Nagorno Karabakh. Fortunately, the increased workforce means landmine removal will be completed sooner than in the originally expected seven years.
As of August 2008 HALO’s Julia Burke Foundation teams conducting Mineclearance and Battle Area Clearance in Nagorno Karabakh have achieved the following impressive results:
- 82 Anti-personnel landmines destroyed
- 8 Anti-Tank landmines destroyed
- 44 cluster munitions destroyed
- 88 other Explosive Remnants of War found and destroyed
- 305 acres of minefields cleared
- 1,116 acres of battle areas cleared
THE JULIA BURKE FOUNDATION CHALLENGE GRANT
Currently, The Julia Burke Foundation is partnering with HALO Nagorno Karabakh in a humanitarian effort to clear landmines. Mine clearance is the backbone of HALO’s work in Nagorno Karabakh and the Foundation is providing the training, equipping and deployment of additional HALO deminers in the area. Though the war is over, Karabakh suffers a significant threat from mines and explosive remnants of war. In fact, Nagorno Karabakh has the world’s highest per capita mine casualty rate – surpassing even Afghanistan and Cambodia.
The Foundation has offered to match additional funding raised over the next two years to clear this area. Landmine clearance is vital to the present and future of Nagorno Karabakh and even a small donation will enable HALO to destroy a landmine and save a life. For more information please contact HALO USA toll free: 1 (877) HALO USA or visit their website at www.halousa.org/help.html
Deminer working in dangerous minefield
2009 JBF GRANT HELPS FUND A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR THE GIFTED AND TALENTED YOUTH IN NAGORNO KARABAKH
This year The Julia Burke Foundation has supported a scholarship program in Nagorno Karabakh called “Taghandavor Yeridasardner” (literally, “talented youth”). Begun in 2005, Taghandavor Yeridasardner provides higher education and professional development for youth showing potential for major contributions in fine arts, performing arts, education, sports, and filmmaking. The program has been developed in conjunction with the NKR Ministry of Education, and currently applies to youth residing in the capital (Stepanakert) and nearby districts. This program has supported more than 90 deserving youth, offering scholarships, travel stipends, musical instruments, and other items they need to advance in their fields.
While many of the applicants do come from families that have suffered from the war; the larger objective of the Tufenkian Foundation is to combat the prevailing “brain drain” in Karabakh by fostering conditions attracting high-quality talent. By doing so, they hope that these talents may, in turn, contribute to the welfare of this fledgling republic; thereby promoting its peaceful development and self-sufficiency.
For more information, visit www.tufenkianfoundation.org
2006 JBF GRANT PROVIDES NEW DESKS FOR THE AL-HUSSEIN SOCIETY IN JORDAN
The Al-Hussein Society works to integrate physically challenged children into mainstream society. To assist these students, The Julia Burke Foundation provided new desks especially designed to meet their physical needs. For more information, visit: www.alhusseinrehab.org.jo
Marilyn Burke visits with the children at the Al-Hussein Society in Jordan
