An international organization specializing in demining called for a renewed focus on humanitarian development and peace efforts in Yemen, noting that the civilian population is still suffering from one of the worst crises of landmines and unexploded ordnance in the world.

Halo Trust, marking the six-month anniversary of the first attack in the Red Sea, stated that as “the world’s eyes turn to the Middle East, it is necessary not to forget the ordinary Yemeni men, women and children who live every day in dire humanitarian need, and the dangers posed by weapons.” Unexploded explosive devices near their homes. says Matt Smith, Head of the Middle East and North Africa region.

She noted that most of HALO's work in Yemen takes place in crowded, complex urban environments and close to active front lines and former battlefields, which means it requires different skills and greater community outreach compared to clearance operations in rural areas.

Since 2019, HALO Trust, in Yemen, has been removing mines and other explosives from the front lines in Taiz, a city divided by battle lines between the north and south of the country for the past nine years.

The organization said, “Despite air strikes less than 20 kilometers away, and daily exchanges of fire across the city’s front lines, our teams have not stopped working over the past six months.” Smith says:

As the only international NGO doing this work in the city of Taiz, HALO teams responded to more than 100 calls to remove or destroy numerous dangerous items and cleared minefields with trained teams and armored machinery, returning safe territory to communities that regularly suffer accidents. Fatal or life-altering.

She added, “In many places, explosives including mines, rockets, mortar shells, anti-aircraft shells and explosive devices are found between homes, clinics, schools and other facilities.” This poses a daily threat to Yemeni civilians, especially children. “Many children are injured while playing, or when collecting scrap metal to sell and help feed their families.” Smith says:

Halo Trust said that, so far, its demining teams have secured two million square meters of land in Taiz and Aden - the equivalent of about 280 football fields - so that people can go to work and markets safely, and children can walk to school. And play outside without fear. From losing a limb, or worse.

She continued, “During the 2022 ceasefire, there was a 160% increase in unexploded ordnance incidents and mine incidents when people tried to return to their homes in Taiz, which demonstrates that mine action activities must play an essential role in the peace process until Peacebuilding efforts are successful. . “Urban recovery and reconstruction will also be hampered if the amount of explosive ordnance found in urban areas across Yemen is not addressed.”

The organization stressed that “there is a need to remove landmines and explosives on the main roads along the front lines proposed to be reopened under a UN-brokered truce.” It indicated that it is working closely with the Office of the Special Envoy (OSESGY) and other actors to address the complex threat in the event that the parties reach an agreement.