Every year, thousands of people worldwide are killed, injured or disabled by landmines, unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices, cluster bombs, explosive remnants of war and other explosive hazards. The human suffering caused by the use of such explosives in terrorist attacks or in war is devastating. Trapped explosives and remnants of ammunition in areas of conflict with terrorist elements or the target of terrorist attacks, or in war zones; prevent children from attending school and playing freely in communal areas, stop farmers from tilling the soil and cultivating crops, restrict access to clean drinking water supplies vital for life, disrupt post-war reconstruction and reconstruction efforts, adversely affect the daily living habits of the civilian population, hinder economic and social progress, delay peacekeeping missions, limit the livelihoods of those living in affected communities and, as is often the case, displace people from their habitats.

Today, there are estimated to be more than 110 million landmines in 78 countries across the globe, including in Europe, and more landmines than can be cleared continue to be laid in different geographies every year. On average, these landmines kill between 15,000 and 20,000 people a year. If official statistics continue at this rate, it is estimated that it will take 1100 years to clear all the landmines that have been laid to date. Detecting, clearing and removing all these hazards, especially landmines, can save thousands of lives and is a necessary humanitarian action.

TOHUM has the capacity and capability to identify hazardous, explosive materials in conflict-affected areas and work to return cleared land to local communities so that they can return to a stable and secure environment where they can become self-sufficient.

TOHUM ‘s specialized personnel are trained and experienced in removing explosive remnants of war (ERW), as well as conducting technical surveys, mapping, cleaning, marking, post-cleanup documentation, explosive ordnance risk education, and transferring cleared land to communities and businesses. TOHUM is capable of identifying, assessing, securing, recovering and destroying all explosive objects such as grenades, cluster munitions, land service munitions, mortars, etc. that are capable of exploding and may cause injury or damage.

TOHUM develops projects on remediation of contaminated land with a humanitarian approach, in accordance with international standards and practices, and works on solutions that address weapons proliferation issues. Throughout the lifecycle of its projects, TOHUM strictly adheres to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and supports the efforts and leadership of the United Nations’ efforts to combat explosive remnants of war (ERW) and landmines.

To minimize costs and save time, TOHUM ‘s mine and explosive action experts assess the threat at identified project locations and design a clearance plan adapted to the client’s functional needs to ensure the safety of all personnel throughout the project.

As a key component of mine action, TOHUM provides explosive ordnance risk education to affected communities. The content of these sessions includes safety messages and communications to priority groups and risk management tactics. The aim of these potential education programs is to raise awareness and develop safe behaviors in communities.

The high level of risk in mine and explosive action activities means that ‘quality management’ is vital to the success of the program. TOHUM ‘s quality management processes include post-clearance sampling, verification, certification and handover of cleared and reused land to local communities and governments.

Threats from improvised and conventional explosives are common in areas with a history of strife. Even in times of peace, communities in these regions are forced to live with dangerous and complex threats from explosives. TOHUM’s Explosive Threat Reduction solutions, provided by experienced and well-trained experts in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device disposal (IEDD), help mitigate these risks and help communities move towards their future in a safe environment.

With a long history of working in post-conflict and hostile environments, and with experience gained across multiple theaters of operation, TOHUM ‘s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device disposal (IEDD) experts have developed a range of Explosive Threat Reduction solutions, including explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device disposal (IEDD) training and consultancy, and keep abreast of innovations and technologies in this field.

TOHUM prioritizes working with local partners in challenging or high-risk environments and can coordinate with international organizations to deliver strategic and tactical solutions against explosive threats.

TOHUM can design training solutions according to the experience and ability of each client and candidate. The customized solutions developed can be tailored to specific threats to meet unique customer locations and needs.

Proper storage or destruction of unused weapons is vital to prevent ammunition from falling into the wrong hands. Especially in areas governed by weak governments or plagued by conflict, criminals and insurgent forces work to divert these legal stocks to the black market. Tackling this problem requires strict arms and ammunition management and strong security forces.

TOHUM has in-depth knowledge, expertise and competence in arms and ammunition management issues that assist in physical security and stockpile management (PSSM) such as storage, handling, transportation and operating procedures as well as the destruction of small arms and light weapons (SALW). TOHUM can provide guidance to communities to help them properly dispose of weapons and ammunition left behind in the aftermath of armed conflicts or due to reduced threat levels or the acquisition of new weapons. This approach ensures that unused weapons and ammunition do not fall into the hands of those with ulterior motives who could use them unauthorized or for violent purposes.

Destroying unused, surplus, leftover or obsolete weapons is not only one of the safest courses of action, but also the most cost-effective, bringing stability to post-conflict areas by reducing the likelihood of weapons and ammunition falling into the hands of criminals or rebel groups.

Threats from explosive hazards in conflict areas are evolving every day for a variety of reasons and methods, from the methods and weapons used to the tactics employed. Overcoming these threats requires continuous training and skills development in order to create stable environments.

TOHUM provides training and consultancy services to organizations in the public, civil society or commercial sectors that directly address the ever-evolving and changing face of warfare. These trainings are developed and implemented by TOHUM experts with many years of knowledge and field experience. 

TOHUM works in close communication with its customers to tailor its training to the unique skills and experience of its personnel. It designs flexible training solutions that can be customized for specific threats and areas of operation. TOHUM ‘s trainers and consultants have in-depth knowledge and field experience gained in many high-risk environments.

TOHUM has the capabilities to provide training on weapons and ammunition management to the national defense, security and peacekeeping forces of the respective countries. These trainings equip participating personnel with the skills to use weapons and ammunition effectively on a wide range of issues, including limiting the risk of accidental explosions, poor stockpile management, and the loss or theft of small arms and light weapons (SALW). These tactics and management procedures are useful for providing greater security to those living in areas near ammunition depots.

TOHUM provides various training courses that can be adapted to customer needs: