Project Masam teams visited several displacement camps in Marib Governorate during Eid al-Adha, distributing gifts to children and joining families in celebrating the holiday.
The visits formed part of an annual initiative carried out by Project Masam during Eid, bringing moments of celebration to children living in camps after years of conflict and displacement.
Marib, in northeastern Yemen, hosts one of the country’s largest displaced populations after years of conflict. The governorate became a refuge for hundreds of thousands of civilians who fled fighting, Houthi offensives, and landmine contamination in other parts of Yemen, making it one of the country’s most important humanitarian hubs.
Team members spent time with children across a number of camps, distributing gifts and taking part in Eid activities. The initiative provided children and their families with an opportunity to enjoy the holiday atmosphere despite the challenges associated with displacement and prolonged uncertainty.
Beyond the Eid celebrations, the visits also helped strengthen ties between Project Masam teams and local communities. Across Yemen, many clearance operations begin with reports from residents who identify suspected landmines, unexploded ordnance, or other explosive hazards. Maintaining strong relationships with civilians supports this reporting process and helps ensure hazardous areas can be identified and cleared more quickly.
Alongside its humanitarian mine clearance operations, Project Masam regularly carries out community-focused activities in areas affected by conflict and explosive contamination. These engagements – including Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, or EORE – help reinforce trust between mine action teams and the communities they serve, supporting both civilian protection and ongoing clearance efforts.
The Eid visits offered children and their families a chance to celebrate an occasion traditionally centred on family gatherings, community ties, and shared festivities, while highlighting the importance of continued engagement with communities affected by conflict and displacement.
