Project Masam clears one million square meters of mines in Yemen in 18 days

As part of its ongoing humanitarian efforts to save lives and secure residential areas, the Masam Project for clearing Yemeni landmines has achieved a remarkable field accomplishment. Its engineering teams cleared vast areas exceeding one million square meters in a short period of just 18 days. This figure reflects the scale of the tireless work undertaken by the field teams in confronting one of the most serious challenges threatening the lives of civilians in Yemen.

Ongoing efforts to secure life

These operations are part of the project's strategy to secure liberated areas, facilitate the return of displaced persons to their villages and homes, and secure main and secondary roads to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid. The clearance operations include the removal and destruction of a variety of explosives, including anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded ordnance left behind by the war.

Project Masam: A pioneering humanitarian initiative

Project Masam is a humanitarian initiative launched by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) in mid-2018, aimed at clearing Yemeni lands of mines planted indiscriminately by militias in various governorates. Since its inception, the project has successfully removed hundreds of thousands of mines and unexploded ordnance, contributing to a reduction in casualties and securing schools, health facilities, and water sources.

The danger of landmines and their impact on Yemen

The landmine problem in Yemen is one of the greatest humanitarian disasters resulting from years of conflict. Landmines were planted indiscriminately and without documentation in residential areas, agricultural lands, and roads. This mine contamination has led to thousands of civilian casualties, including women and children, and has caused permanent disabilities for many others. These mines have also negatively impacted the local economy by preventing farmers from accessing their land and grazing their livestock.

Humanitarian and economic impact of clearance operations

Clearing over one million square meters in less than three weeks means not only removing explosives, but also restoring normalcy to that geographical area. Every meter cleared represents a step towards reconstruction, enabling local communities to safely resume their livelihoods. The project has garnered widespread international and local recognition for its adherence to international mine clearance standards and its pivotal role in creating the conditions necessary for stability and development in Yemen.