A groundbreaking new collaboration between the worlds of conflict action and habitat conservation is set to boost the resilience of vulnerable communities living in war-torn regions across the world.
In a global first, Dumfries-based humanitarian mine action charity, The HALO Trust, and world-leading biodiversity research and conservation body, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), have joined forces to tackle the devastating environmental and economic consequences of war.
Bringing together a wealth of international experience, with both organisations active across five continents, the unique partnership will focus on the many conflict-affected areas where HALO operates which are also biodiversity hotspots where local communities depend heavily on plant resources for food security and trade.
Kicking off the initiative in the Horn of Africa, HALO explosives experts have cleared landmines and other dangerous remnants of war in parts of Puntland and South-West Somalia to allow safe access for ecological surveys on rare, income-generating frankincense trees (Boswellia sacra) to take place.
An economically and culturally important species under increasing threat from environmental pressures, frankincense resin has a wide range of uses, primarily in aromatherapy, skincare, and traditional medicine. Using specialist locally adapted methods developed by the RBGE, the project is investigating tree health, supporting tree nurseries and replanting initiatives, and promoting sustainable harvesting practices.
James Cowan, CEO of The HALO Trust, said: "War leaves behind a legacy of devastation, splintering the lives of people and destroying the fragile environments upon which they depend. By fusing our respective expertise, passion and knowledge our shared vision of helping people to recover and thrive after conflict while restoring the natural world is brought to life. Together, we envision a future rooted in peace—where both the land and its people can flourish again.”
Simon Milne, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, added: “This partnership represents an innovative alignment of missions. By combining HALO’s deep field knowledge and community networks with our expertise in plant science and conservation horticulture, we can support some of the world’s most vulnerable regions with practical solutions to strengthen ecosystems and livelihoods alike.”
Looking to the future, new joint projects are expected to develop across the world, including in Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya, West Africa, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria. Particular focus will be on post-conflict regions where gums and resins such as frankincense, myrrh, gum Arabic and Aloe species offer sustainable trade and development opportunities.
Published 7 August 2025