FSD

16/10/2026

Michael Pfister, FSD's Global Operations Coordinator, took part in the panel "From Aid Dependency to Sovereign Development: Building Africa’s Capacity to Finance Its Own Future" at SITA Geneva, organised by BAFING PROJECTS.

The discussion brought together different perspectives on the practical barriers to self-sustaining development in Africa, exploring workable responses and actionable recommendations to help African countries make better use of their resources and economic potential and strengthen their capacity to finance their own development.

Thank you to Sarah Bayoh, CEO of BAFING PROJECTS, for bringing together such an insightful discussion!

16/10/2026

📄 Over 5 Million Square Metres Cleared in Ukraine

Since June 2022, FSD teams in Ukraine have cleared more than 5 million square metres of land and provided explosive ordnance risk education to over 580,000 people.

Our September update looks at the human impact behind these figures, including the story of an FSD team working to make a forest in the Chernihiv region safe again. It also provides updates on our operations, technical innovations and priorities for the coming months.

➡️ Read the report here:https://fsd.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Ukraine-update-0926-EN-Digital.pdf

15/10/2026

🤝 Leadership Transition at FSD

After nearly 30 years at the forefront of the organisation, Hansjörg Eberle, the co-founder and Executive Director of FSD, will retire at the end of 2026. Matt Wilson, who is currently FSD’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), will succeed him on 1 January 2027.

“Hansjörg brought vision and determination to the creation of FSD and has shown remarkable dedication to its humanitarian mission over nearly three decades. On behalf of the Foundation Board, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for his passion, unwavering commitment and everything he has contributed,” said Nawal Aït-Hocine, President of FSD’s Foundation Board.

The transition marks a new chapter for FSD, building on the strong foundations Hansjörg has established and ensuring continuity in the organisation’s humanitarian mission.

Read the full statement:https://fsd.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Transition-Statement-EN.pdf

14/10/2026

📚 Building Skills Among the Youth

For children and young people living in unstable environments, education can help lay the foundations for a more secure future.

Discover how FSD support education and skills development in the Central African Republic.

🎥 Watch the video to learn more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQVAtyqUSg8

For children and young people living in unstable environments, educ...

14/10/2026

🍂 La FSD aux Automnales à Genève

La FSD est heureuse de participer aux Automnales aux côtés de Swissint, du Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - GICHD et de UNOPS.

📍 Les Automnales, Palexpo, Genève
📅 6–15 novembre 2026

Venez découvrir le déminage humanitaire à travers des démonstrations, des activités interactives, des quiz, une immersion dans un champ de mines en cours de déminage et bien d’autres surprises.

👉 En savoir plus: https://automnales.ch/automnales-market/invite-dhonneur/

12/10/2026

💥 Old But Still Dangerous

A World War II-era 45 mm armour-piercing round with its fuze was recently discovered in a forest in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, in a minefield that was being cleared by our teams.

FSD’s explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the item, which had remained underground for around 80 years.

The discovery is a reminder that explosive ordnance does not simply become harmless with time. Old am******on can remain dangerous for decades and become more unstable over time, posing a risk to people working and living in affected areas.

08/10/2026

🌲 "I know every birch, every tree where these mushrooms grow."

Kateryna knows her local forest well. She spent years walking among its trees, listening to the birds and foraging for mushrooms. But a few years ago, she stepped on a landmine. An activity that had once brought her joy suddenly became a source of fear.

🎥 Watch Kateryna’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVhJ4qgPx7g&t=54s

Kateryna has always loved forests, taking walks, and foraging surro...

07/10/2026

🧑‍🎓 FSD Back at EPFL

FSD is pleased to be returning to EPFL this year. Matt Wilson, FSD's COO, gave a presentation to a group of students, introducing them to mine action, the threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the importance of our work in safely disposing of these items.

We’re grateful to Mariazel Maqueda López, Head of the PeaceTech Division, Klaus Schönenberger, Director of EssentialTech Centre, and Solomzi Makohliso, Deputy Director, for welcoming us.

06/10/2026

Nous sommes ravis de participer cette année aux Automnales à Genève aux côtés de Swissint, du Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - GICHD, d'UNOPS et de DEMUNEX.

Du 6 au 15 novembre, venez découvrir le déminage humanitaire et le travail accompli pour rendre les terres et les communautés plus sûres.

𝗦𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝘁, 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲́ 𝗱'𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀

Cette année, nous accueillons Swissint, le centre de compétences de l'Armée suisse pour la promotion de la paix, en tant qu'invité d'honneur.

À quoi ressemble vraiment une mission de paix ? Pendant dix jours, un stand immersif apporte des réponses concrètes : véhicules, tour d'observation de l'ONU, postes de simulation et réalité virtuelle, aux côtés de militaires ayant servi sur le terrain. Certaines animations sont en accès libre, d'autres à heures fixes.

Autour du stand, le Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - GICHD, la FSD, l'UNOPS et le commandement DEMUNEX donnent à voir le travail du déminage humanitaire : sécuriser un chemin, rouvrir un accès à l'eau, permettre à une communauté de revivre.

Un engagement souvent évoqué, rarement montré d'aussi près.

📅 6–15 novembre à Palexpo
👉 Programme sur automnales.ch

06/10/2026

💥 What Are Improvised Explosive Devices?

What does 'improvised' mean? Why do improvised explosive devices pose such a challenge? And how can they be safely dealt with?

👉 Read the latest Mine Action 101 article: https://fsd.ch/en/improvised-explosive-device-ied/

Learn what an improvised explosive device (IED) is, how it is used, why it poses a major threat to civilians and how FSD helps reduce the risk.