About this Episode
Croatia has reached a historic milestone in post-war recovery: the country has been officially declared free of landmines, more than three decades after conflict left significant areas contaminated with explosive remnants. This achievement — confirmed by Croatia’s national mine action authority — marks the successful completion of one of the most extensive demining efforts in Europe. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr)
After the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s, millions of unexploded landmines and other explosive devices made large swaths of land dangerous for civilians, farmers and infrastructure development for years. Croatia responded with a comprehensive demining programme involving government agencies, international partners, and specialised non-governmental organisations. Over time, teams cleared forests, farmland, parks, and former battlefields, combining sophisticated detection technology with painstaking on-the-ground work. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr)
The removal of these hidden hazards has not only prevented injuries and fatalities but also reopened land for safe use in agriculture, tourism and community expansion. Formerly unsafe zones are now fields for families and farmers, reclaimed for everyday life. This success also reinforces Croatia’s compliance with the Ottawa Treaty, a global agreement to eliminate anti-personnel mines. (glashrvatske.hrt.hr)
For the people of Croatia — especially those in regions once most affected — this milestone is both symbolic and practical: a sign of healing, resilience, and the long-term peace that generations can now truly build upon.
