Mine risk education campaign to commence in Sa'adah

A coordinated mine risk education campaign begin on Monday in Yemen, with a focus on displaced and affected communities in Sa’adah, Hajjah and Amran governorates.

The campaign is a joint effort of the National Mine Action Committee, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Save the Children, with the participation of national civil society organizations.

UNHCR estimates that about 250,000 people have been displaced by the protracted conflict in the north of the country between the Government of Yemen and the armed group of al-Houthi rebels, which began in 2004 and escalated again in August 2009.

In the wake of a recent ceasefire, as people begin to return to their areas of origin, there is an urgent need to address the dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance. The Ministry of Interior reports that since the ceasefire was announced at least five people have been killed and 20 injured as a result of contact with such explosive devices, especially in the area of Malaheet. Most of these are children.

The initial campaign will run for two weeks, but will then continue as a regular activity by all child protection actors. The campaign aims to target affected communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) living inside and outside camps in Sa’adah as well as in the neighbouring governorates of Hajjah and Amran, where thousands of families have fled. The campaign will include radio and television messages, banners, posters and leaflets, workshops, and peer education through a child-to-child approach involving school children in the three governorates. Children who do not attend school will be reached through child and youth centres in IDP camps.

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