Prince Harry has thanked Halo Trust charity workers, who spend their time clearing explosives on the frontline of the war in Ukraine, on a video call, telling them to “keep doing what you’re doing”.
The Duke of Sussex has been a patron of the trust since 2019, which works to diffuse and clear landmines and explosives all over the world.
Harry has supported the cause since 2011 and joined a video call on Friday to speak with Olesia and Maryn, encouraging them to carry on their important work.
Olesia and Maryn spoke on the struggles of their roles, telling the prince “life has been turned upside down” and they felt trapped in a “nightmare” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Prince Harry has offered encouragement to Halo workers in Ukraine
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THE HALO TRUST
They continued: “Sometimes it seems to me that this is just a nightmare and I’m going to wake up soon.”
Harry, offering encouragement, said: “I mean, you guys are saving lives every single day.
“I know you’re part of Halo, so that’s exactly what you signed up to do, and I know that you’re going to continue doing the work that is so desperately needed for Halo, for your families and your country.”
The prince then went on to ask how he could help the efforts of Halo, to which he was told to continue spreading safety messages that would allow the charity to continue their work.
Harry’s work with the charity goes back to 2013, when he walked a minefield in Angola, much like his mother, Princess Diana, did nearly 30 years before him.
He returned to the minefield last year, which had been transformed thanks to the work of Angolan men and women trained by the charity.
Prince Harry visited an active minefield in 2015 in Angola
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REUTERS
Angola pledged £46million to create wildlife corridors in 2019 and to protect endangered species in conservation areas.
Halo has worked to remove more than 123,000 landmines since 1994 and is continuing work to turn former warzones into farmland, national parks and villages.
While the charity has completed considerable work, there are still over 1,000 minefields across Angola.
More than 60,000 people have been killed or injured by landmines in the country since 2008. However, the exact number has not been verified.
The video call has marked the end of a poignant week for the prince, who was seen fighting back tears earlier in the week.
Harry was visibly moved as he met with British families in Los Angeles who believe social media contributed to their children’s deaths on Thursday, delivering an emotional message that “none of you should be here”.
Prince Harry was visibly moved as he met with British families in Los Angeles earlier this week
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YOUTUBE
Footage of Harry’s remarks shows him expressing gratitude to the families for repeatedly sharing their painful experiences.
The duke spoke of his desire for “truth, justice and accountability” to emerge from the legal proceedings now underway against major technology companies.
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