On top of Yemen’s many crises, landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) have made the country even more dangerous. Years of conflict and economic collapse have left people struggling to survive. Now, hidden explosives in the ground continue to take lives and block any chance of recovery.
Over the last 10 years, Yemen has had the third highest number of landmine and ERW casualties in the world. The governorates of Taiz and Hodeidah are the worst affected. Together, they account for half of all cases in the country. Once frontlines of heavy fighting, these areas are still filled with explosives. Civilians face danger every day, with their safety and security constantly under threat.
With the support from the European Union’s (EU) humanitarian funding, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) undertakes humanitarian mine action operations to reduce these risks and protect the lives and livelihoods of people in affected communities, including internally displaced persons.
DRC has cleared more than 23,302 square metres of land in Mawza, Taiz governorate from mines and explosive remnants of war until now, restoring vital spaces for livelihoods and daily life.
Mine clearance is a painstaking and dangerous process, carried out under strict technical and operational standards. Each step is slow and high-risk, as deminers work around deadly explosives. Equipped with personal protective gear and specialized tools such as metal detectors and prodding needles, the team prepares to step onto the contaminated ground.
With careful precision, they examine the ground to detect and safely remove hidden explosives. Their work is not only about clearing land—it is about restoring safety, enabling families to return home, giving local communities a chance to live in a safe environment, and rebuilding their lives.
The impact of these efforts on local communities is immense. Families can now use the land for agriculture and farming while previously blocked roads are being reopened, allowing residents to move safely again.
Alongside clearance operations, DRC continues to raise awareness about the dangers of explosive ordinances. Through EU-funded explosive ordnance risk education sessions, more than 53,000 people have been trained to recognize threats and protect themselves. Landmines hamper access to services