BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The complete absence of records on how many people have died or injured due to unexploded and abandoned ordnance since World War II hinders solutions to addressing UXO in the country.

That is according to the HALO Trust Solomon Islands Progress Report, June 2023 to April 2025.

HALO Trust works to identify and remove explosives in the Solomon Islands, improving safety and access to vital resources.

The report found that there is no systematic information on where these accidents have occurred or what the victims were doing at the time of the incident.  

According to the report, lack of data has made it difficult for the Solomon Islands government to highlight the scale of the problem and make a compelling case for international assistance, the HALO report highlighted.

The presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO), based on the report, continues to pose a significant threat to communities, particularly in areas with high contamination from World War II remnants.

The report indicated that without accurate casualty records, it is challenging to measure the full scope of the problem or develop targeted interventions that address the needs of affected individuals and communities.

With future funding, HALO will develop the first baseline data collection of UXO-related accidents in the Solomon Islands.

The HALO report highlights that this survey data will help build a comprehensive picture of the impact of UXO across different provinces and provide a better understanding of the most vulnerable populations.

According to the report, by analysing demographic characteristics, livelihood activities and behavioural patterns, HALO will be able to refine the prioritisation of future activities and assistance, ensuring that risk education messaging is effectively targeted to prevent further incidents.

The report said that beyond supporting UXO risk mitigation, casualty data collection is a crucial step forward in recognising the suffering of victims and their families and establishing a factual record of incidents.

It adds that publicly accessible casualty records that are transparent, detailed and reliable are essential for ensuring accountability.

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