Project Masam teams have responded to reports from residents in Hayran District, northern Hajjah Governorate, after unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other explosive remnants were found in villages currently sheltering displaced families.
The contamination followed recent shelling in the Al-Deir area, where a ballistic missile attack left explosive remnants posing a direct threat to civilians.
Project Masam’s community awareness and coordination team deployed to affected locations to assess the situation, document contaminated areas and support the removal of UXO.
During the response, residents also reported a suspected minefield north of Al-Deir, prompting the team to document the location and refer it to Project Masam’s operations centre in Midi for further survey and clearance.
Abdo Khamisi, a local resident and eyewitness, said the rapid deployment demonstrated the importance of responding quickly to community reports of explosive hazards.
He also highlighted Project Masam’s wider work to survey and clear agricultural land and other essential areas across Midi, Hayran and Harad, helping communities reduce the risks posed by landmines and other explosive ordnance.
EORE for residents
Alongside the operational assessment, Project Masam delivered Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to residents living near the affected areas.
Using illustrated materials, the team explained how to recognise potentially dangerous objects and stressed that civilians should keep their distance, avoid touching, moving or inspecting suspicious items, warn others nearby and report the location to the appropriate authorities.
Residents were also provided with contact details for emergency response teams so suspicious objects and potentially contaminated areas could be reported quickly.
The subsequent report of a suspected minefield demonstrated the importance of direct engagement with communities living in contaminated areas, where local knowledge can help identify hazards that may otherwise remain unknown.
Project Masam teams continue to respond to reports from residents across Midi, Hayran and Harad, combining survey and clearance operations with EORE to reduce the risks posed by landmines, UXO and other explosive threats.
