Julien Harneis, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen has met with Project Masam management at the project’s headquarters in Aden, Yemen’s de-factor capital, to discuss the future of demining operations in the country, along with the challenges and difficulties faced by demining teams.
Harneis, accompanied by Charles Frisby, the Mine Action Advisor at the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), visited Project Masam’s headquarters in Aden, where they met with the Managing Director, Ousama Algosaibi. During their visit, they toured the facility and explored a photo exhibition that highlighted the damage caused to innocent civilians, as well as to government and private institutions, due to the explosion of mines, explosive devices (IEDs), and other hazardous devices planted by Houthi militias.
During the meeting, Algosaibi emphasised the crucial need for coordination among demining programmes operating in the country. He highlighted that such collaboration is essential to maximise the effectiveness of these initiatives. The managing director also underscored the vital humanitarian role these programmes play in freeing the Yemeni people from the significant dangers that disrupt their daily lives.
Inspection of project and cooperation
In the past week, Algosaibi also inspected the project’s operations in Aden and the west coast.
This visit included several meetings with project officials, culminating in a comprehensive meeting with the leaders of the demining teams in the Aden and West Coast sector. Brigadier General Amin Al-Aqili, Director of the National Mine Action Programme, and Brigadier General Qaid Haitham Halboub, Director of the Executive Office for Mine Action (YEMAC) in Aden, were also present.
The meeting addressed the achievements and challenges faced by the field teams, focusing on finding solutions to overcome obstacles that hinder the demining teams. This ensures the continuation of demining operations and the protection of innocent lives. The project’s Deputy Managing Director, Retief Horn, and several project leaders from Aden and Marib also attended.
Meeting with YMACC
Additionally, Algosaibi visited the Yemen Mine Action Coordination Centre (YMACC) in Aden. There, he met with the Centre’s Director, Brigadier General Fadel Gharama, and other YMACC officials, gaining insights into the Centre’s demining activities in liberated areas.
Algosaibi reaffirmed Project Masam’s commitment to supporting demining programmes in Yemen, emphasising their dedication to providing comprehensive advisory and logistical services. He was accompanied during the visit by a number of the project’s officials.
Humanitarian development award
Later, the Development Foundation for Awareness and Media honoured Algosaibi, by awarding him the Development Shield in recognition of his significant contributions to humanitarian development in the country.
During the ceremony, Moataz Al-Missouri, President of the Foundation, commended the vital role played by Project Masam in effectively removing mines planted by Houthi militias across various regions of Yemen.
Al-Missouri noted that this recognition is part of the initiative of the Media Foundation, which was established in 2017, to honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to the service of Yemen and its people. He emphasised that Algosaibi was specifically honoured for his exceptional efforts in achieving the goals of Project Masam’s humanitarian landmine clearance project.
