Solomon Islands still managing WWII unexploded ordnance risks

More than 80 years after the Battle of Guadalcanal, communities in the Solomon Islands still face challenges from unexploded ordnance (UXOs) left over from World War II. The battle led to thousands of bombs and shells being abandoned across the islands. The Halo Trust, a humanitarian group, has been active in the country since 2023. They are surveying airfields, ammunition storage areas, and former military sites. So far, they have identified 22 dangerous locations. Chris Teasdale, the program manager, mentioned that their teams are working in Honiara and Munda. He emphasized that more action is required to address the issue. The terrain of the Solomon Islands makes logistics complicated. Teasdale noted that the information they gather is shared with local police to help identify and safely dispose of these dangerous items. Many people in the Solomon Islands have learned to coexist with these explosives, as this problem has persisted for decades. In the past, there have been tragic incidents related to UXOs. In 2021, a young person was killed, and several others were injured when an old shell exploded near a cooking fire. The risk is not exclusive to the Solomon Islands; several other Pacific nations also deal with UXO issues. Poor data collection and coordination have hindered efforts to eliminate these dangers. Teasdale predicts that removing UXOs in the Solomon Islands could take many more years. The Halo Trust has been working in the area for a little over two years and is just beginning to fully assess the situation.