RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) has launched the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance (MASAM), which aims to make Yemen landmine-free to protect civilians and safeguard the delivery of urgent humanitarian supplies.
The initial budget dedicated to the MASAM project, called “Life without landmines” is $40 million.
There have been more than 600,000 mines planted in liberated areas by militias, 130,000 internationally banned sea mines, 40,000 mines in Marib and 16,000 mines on the island of Mayon.
The conflict has resulted in the manufacture and deployment of landmines by militias causing more than 1,539
deaths, injury to more than 3,000 and permanent disability to more than 900 Yemenis.
These recorded figures are far lower than the actual numbers as the national demining program has not been able to identify and register all casualties. Such hostile actions have also resulted in an array of other life-threatening crises and security concerns.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor general of KSRelief, said at the press launch event: “This program will be carried out with participation from numerous Saudi cadres and international experts.
“MASAM’s aim is to eliminate all forms of landmines which have been randomly planted by Houthi militias in a number of Yemeni governorates — particularly Marib, Aden, Sanaa and Taiz.
