Project Masam’s demining Team 18 has recently carried out an awareness campaign at Al-Zubairi School in the Shakib area of Al-Dhale Governorate, benefiting over 150 students.
Due to its strategic location, Al-Dhale is one of the most heavily mined areas of Yemen, where Project Masam is actively working to clear large numbers of landmines planted by Houthi forces.
The campaign aimed to educate students about the various types of mines and the proper way to report them, particularly given the widespread danger they pose in the region.
Deminer Abdul Khaliq Fadel, a member of team 18, which operates in the area, emphasised that schoolchildren and shepherds are especially vulnerable to mines due to their frequent movement.
He shared the story of a young girl named Iman, who reported seeing a mine near her home after receiving prior awareness training, ultimately saving her life.
Bakr Mohammed Manea, the Director General of Qataba District, commended the team’s efforts, stating: “The awareness provided by Project Masam plays a crucial role in protecting civilians from the dangers of mines. These campaigns save lives and shield families from the tragedies caused by unexploded remnants of war.”
Ahmed Saleh, a teacher at Al-Zubairi School, meanwhile, added, “Awareness campaigns are vital, especially given the random spread of mines. They have helped students understand the risks and how to respond. However, we still require more support.”
This Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) awareness campaign is part of the Project Masam team’s ongoing efforts to protect civilians from the dangers of mines. It also highlights the critical need for support in rebuilding damaged educational facilities to ensure a safer future for the governorate’s children.
Al-Zubairi School was partially destroyed after Houthi militias stored mines inside the building, causing a large explosion and destroying much of it. Currently, the school is severely overcrowded, with 170 to 178 students per class. As a result, many students are either forced to travel to distant schools or drop out altogether.
