Ask a question to find out more
  • SUSTAINABILITY

Over 45,000 m2 of land in the Benguela province cleared of mines thanks to the Eni-supported, Halo Trust-led “100 women in demining” project

The project aims to foster the empowerment of women in Angola through the employment of all-female mine clearance teams, whilst preventing landmine accidents and returning land to productive use.

Luanda, 22 January 2019 – Over 45,000 m2 of land were cleared of mines by a team of trained women deminers in the area of Keneguerere, in the Benguela province, as a result of the “100 Women in Demining” project designed by Halo Trust and supported by Eni and its partners in the Block 15/06 Joint Venture, namely Sonangol P&P and SSI. The project aims to foster the empowerment of women in Angola through the employment of all-female mine clearance teams, whilst preventing landmine accidents and returning land to productive use.

The project included the selection and training of women from the rural districts of Balombo and Bocoio and the cities of Lobito and Benguela. The women have the opportunity to learn new skills: from clearing landmines, vehicle maintenance and mechanics, to paramedic first aid. The women all come from low income communities, and their regular employment has a wider impact on the women’s families and dependents.

“We believe that private companies have a social responsibility to impact positively on the countries where they operate.” commented Mr Andrea Giaccardo, Managing Director of Eni Angola. “We chose to support the Halo Trust’s 100 Women in Demining project because it addresses a whole set of urgent issues: landmine clearance and access to land, as well as women empowerment and employment, and skill acquisition. With their work, these brave and skilled Angolan women are contributing to the sustainable development of their country”.

Eni is an energy company, working to build a future where everyone can access energy resources efficiently and sustainably. Eni operates in 71 countries worldwide, employing around 33,000 people. The company is engaged in oil and gas exploration, production, refining and marketing operations, power generation also from renewable sources, and petrochemicals. Eni has been present in Angola since 1980, where it operates Block 15/06 through a Joint Venture formed by Eni (36.84%, Operator), Sonangol P&P (36.84%) and SSI Fifteen Limited (26.32%).

The HALO Trust is the world’s largest humanitarian landmine clearance organisation. Its mission is to lead the effort to protect lives and restore livelihoods for those threatened by conflict. Founded in 1988, it employs more than 8,400 staff in over 20 countries and territories. HALO began clearing mines in Angola in the Bié Province in 1994. It currently works across five provinces: Benguela, Bié, Huambo, Kuando Kubango, Kuanza Sul, and has surveyed the minefields in five others: Bengo, Cunene, Huila, Luanda and Namibe.


Back to top
Back to top