The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), continues to implement specialized humanitarian initiatives and projects aimed at protecting civilians and alleviating the suffering of those affected in several countries through targeted programs that help reduce risks and enhance community safety.
KSrelief has implemented mine-clearance projects in Yemen, Azerbaijan, and Iraq at a total cost exceeding $294 million.
In this context, KSrelief continues to implement the “Masam” project as a specialized humanitarian initiative for clearing landmines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices planted indiscriminately across various Yemeni governorates and addressing their humanitarian impact on civilian lives and livelihoods, at a total cost of $290,161,890.
Since its launch in June 2018, the Masam project’s field teams have removed 551,189 landmines, explosive devices, and unexploded ordnance and cleared 77,994,540 square meters of land in Yemen, as part of ongoing operations to secure villages, roads, farms, and vital facilities and create a safer environment for residents.
The project is implemented by 746 field personnel, specialists, and international experts operating in complex conditions to address one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges caused by the spread of landmines, which have led to injuries and damage affecting various segments of society, including project workers while carrying out demining duties in Yemen.
KSrelief’s efforts have also extended to Iraq through a $1 million funding memorandum to support mine survey and clearance projects in several governorates.
In Azerbaijan, KSrelief supported a mine clearance project with $3 million, as part of a broader humanitarian approach aimed at reducing risks and protecting civilians in affected areas.
KSrelief’s efforts extend beyond mine clearance to mitigating the humanitarian impact of landmines through a prosthetics program that provides physical rehabilitation services and high-quality artificial limbs, helping beneficiaries regain mobility, reintegrate into society, and resume normal lives. Nearly 92,000 individuals have benefited from the program.
These efforts come as landmines remain a global humanitarian challenge. United Nations estimates indicate that, on average, one person is killed or injured every hour by landmines, unexploded ordnance, or improvised explosive devices, with civilians—particularly children—most affected.
On the International Day for Mine Awareness, observed annually on April 4, KSrelief continues to support international efforts to combat landmines, raise awareness of their dangers, and contribute to building safer and more stable communities.
Source: Riyadh Daily