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Guinea Bissau has a turbulent history. It achieved independence from Portugal in 1973 after nearly twenty years of armed rebellion. During this time and following independence, large quantities of arms and munitions were stockpiled. Political instability continued after the Cold War, with a civil war from 1998-2000, a series of military coups and the assassination of the President in 2009.

Today the people of Guinea Bissau still live in fear. Ammunition stockpiles could explode at any moment and unsecured weapons are a constant threat to life.

HALO is working with the government to improve security. Our technical specialists are working with the military to construct a temporary ammunition storage area that will allow unsecured ammunition to be moved away from populated areas. Our team is also re-furbishing armouries and introducing weapons marking and record-keeping, to prevent arms from getting into the wrong hands and to help keep communities safe.

In Guinea Bissau there are many unsecured ammunition stockpiles close to homes—putting the lives of families under threat. In the event of an unplanned explosion, hundreds of people would be killed or injured and vital infrastructure damaged. Working with the Guinea Bissau Ministry of Defense, HALO has constructed a purpose-built ammunition storage area in the Bafata region, ensuring stockpiles can be moved away from the local population and creating a more secure future for the people of Guinea Bissau.

Our work in Guinea Bissau is funded by:

The United States Government