The Masam Landmine Clearance Project – Yemen has secured vital sites in the Al-Abdullah area of Usaylan district, Shabwah governorate, where torrent-drainage canal projects are now underway.
For seven years, Project Masam’s humanitarian efforts has effectively mitigated the impacts of war, protecting millions of civilians from the deadly threat of landmines.
Responding to a request from local authorities, Project Masam began clearing Al-Abdullah of mines, enabling the resumption of development projects that had been halted due to the associated risks.
This successful clearance came at a crucial moment, as the torrent-drainage canal project funder had refused to commence implementation until the sites were secured and cleared of any threats to worker safety.
In a statement, the leader of Project Masam’s demining Team 5, who led the clearance efforts in the Al-Abdullah area, said: “We were assigned to the village of Al-Qashou in the Usaylan district to clear and secure the area designated for the torrent-drainage canals rehabilitation project.
“After completing the clearance of the Al-Abdullah Dam and Canal site in the village of Al-Mangoush, the team continues to work in the area to enable the local authority to resume the projects that were stalled due to mines planted by the Houthi militias.”
The leader of Team 5 confirmed that his team has successfully secured three canals and gates in the village of Al-Qashou, clearing an area between 54,000 and 60,000 square metres.
He also noted that the team is currently working on clearing a third site, having already cleared 24,000 square metres of the total project area. The team’s efforts will continue until the entire area is fully cleared.
Project Masam remains crucial in safeguarding lives and fostering a safe environment for development and economic initiatives across liberated areas of Yemen. By doing so, Project Masam significantly contributes to enhancing civilians’ lives and rebuilding infrastructure in various mine-affected regions throughout the war-torn country.
