Britain to give Zimbabwe £2m to clear landmines following Harry tour

By Alexander Britton, PA

The UK is to give Zimbabwe up to £2 million to help efforts to remove landmines – after the Duke of Sussex raised the issue during his recent tour to southern Africa.

The Government will match public donations to the Halo Trust’s Zimbabwe Appeal, international development secretary Alok Sharma said.

Harry donned body armour and a protective visor while setting off a controlled explosion in a partially cleared minefield in Angola similar to one visited by his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Mr Sharma said: “Landmines are indiscriminate weapons of war that maim and kill innocent men, women and children.

“Their devastation lasts long after conflict has ended.”

The trust aims to clear 105,600 square metres of land in Zimbabwe in a year which, the charity said, will help more than 3,000 people get access to safe land which is vital for producing food and creating jobs.

James Cowan, of Halo, added: “We will clear twice as many minefields and help twice as many people thanks to this new support.”