KSrelief carries out global projects to remove explosives and safeguard civilians.

Riyadh, April 5, 2025 – The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), has been actively involved in responding to humanitarian crises, conflicts, and natural disasters globally. The Kingdom has consistently worked to promote stability and prosperity in affected regions, supporting both regional and international initiatives for mine clearance to reduce the social and economic repercussions of landmines and unexploded ordnance. The ultimate goal is to safeguard civilians and create a safer, more stable environment.

KSrelief has carried out demining projects in Yemen, Azerbaijan, and Iraq, with an overall investment of $241,167,000.

One of the significant initiatives was the launch of the Masam Landmine Clearance Project in Yemen in mid-2018. This humanitarian effort aimed to assist the Yemeni people in confronting the severe security threat posed by landmines. The project is executed by Saudi personnel along with international experts, with a workforce of 550 employees and 32 trained teams dedicated to clearing various types of mines and unexploded ordnance scattered across multiple governorates.

The goal of the project is to address the direct threats to the lives of Yemeni civilians, enhance security in the region, and mitigate the humanitarian tragedies caused by buried explosives. Since its inception, the project has successfully removed 486,108 landmines, unexploded ordnance, and munitions, clearing a total of 65,888,674 cubic meters of land.

In addition to demining efforts, the center has implemented a prosthetics program in Yemen, benefiting 25,340 individuals. This initiative aims to restore hope to mine victims by offering high-quality prosthetic limbs and training local staff in prosthetic manufacturing. Furthermore, the program builds the capacity of health institutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of services, while helping to rehabilitate the injured so they can lead productive, normal lives. The total value of the prosthetics projects in Yemen amounts to $39,497,000.

The scope of the project extends beyond its demining efforts, also providing health and social assistance to victims and those affected by the conflict.

However, working in the field of mine clearance is dangerous, and several lives have been lost during these operations. Since the project’s launch, around 30 individuals have been martyred due to landmine or ordnance explosions while performing their duties.

KSrelief’s commitment to combating landmines extends beyond Yemen. In January 2024, the center allocated financial grants for landmine clearance in Azerbaijan to support ongoing reconstruction efforts and assist in the safe return of displaced individuals to their homes. The primary goals of this initiative are to enhance the environment, protect civilians—particularly women and children—build local capacities, and create a safe, healthy environment while addressing the dangerous effects of landmines on individuals and communities.

In April 2024, the center also financed survey and clearance projects for landmines and cluster munitions in several regions of Iraq. This initiative aims to establish a mine-free environment for the safety and security of the Iraqi population, improve their livelihoods, enable them to resume agricultural and livestock activities, and contribute to the broader stability and economic development of Iraq.

On April 4th, KSrelief observed International Day for Mine Awareness to raise awareness about the risks of landmines. The day also calls for greater efforts to protect lives from landmine threats, build capacities for workers in affected areas, and reduce the suffering of those impacted by the presence of landmines.