Victim Assistance in Yemen: Addressing the Urgent Needs of Landmine Survivors
Helmi Marei
Posted on 10 Nov 2024
Landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) continue to claim civilian lives and hinder the safe return of displaced families in Yemen. As one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world, Yemen ranked third globally for casualties by landmines and ERW over the past decade.
The presence of these hidden dangers continues to present a significant threat to communities and recovery efforts. Landmines and ERW prevent safe returns of affected populations, restrict income generating activities and limit access to essential public services in contaminated areas (Source: OCHA HNO).
From July 2023 to July 2024, with funding from the European Union, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) delivered lifesaving medical interventions and victim assistance to 151 individuals who were injured as a direct result of the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
These efforts are a part of DRC’s continued commitment to supporting those affected by the violence.
Labeeb’s story:
Labeeb, a 25-year-old father of three from the Dhamar governorate, was forced to leave his family and work in the Qat farms near the Saudi Arabian border in Sa’ada to provide for them.
Life in this dangerous area was difficult, with low daily wages despite the high risks. One day, tragedy struck when a mortar bomb exploded, severely injuring Labeeb’s leg, chest and eyes.
With the support of the European Union, DRC was able to provide Labeeb with lifesaving medical assistance. His treatment began with surgeries on his leg and chest in a hospital in Sa’ada. However, after his initial recovery, Labeeb started experiencing loss of vision.
Doctors discovered a foreign body lodged in his eye from the explosion. Since there were no specialized eye centres in Sa’ada, Labeeb was referred to Sana’a, where he underwent surgery that salvaged his eyesight. After nearly two months of treatment, Labeeb was able to return to his village and reunite with his family, with his sight restored and a new hope for the future.
Despite the challenges he faced, Labeeb has managed to rise again. After enduring months of illness and treatment, he now feels his health is gradually improving.
Today, Labeeb is feeling stronger and is determined to find a new job in his village, vowing to never return to the dangerous border area. Despite the hardship, he carries a sense of gratitude and optimism, looking forward to spending more time with his children and building a better life for his family.
If I had not received treatment of this quality, there would have definitely been a devastating impact on my health.
/ Labeeb says
Significant Need for Victim Assistance in Yemen:
In Yemen, countless lives have been irreversibly altered by landmines. Between June 2023 and July 2024, DRC with the support of the European Union provided critical support to 151 cases through conflict victims, covering treatment costs where possible. However, the needs of landmine victims far exceed the resources currently available.
DRC emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to effectively support landmine victims. This includes not only medical treatment, but also psychological care and livelihood support, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and regain independence.
While DRC has made significant strides in assisting victims, comprehensive efforts and increased support are necessary to address this ongoing and long-term challenge.
Victim Assistance in Yemen: Addressing the Urgent Needs of Landmine Survivors
Helmi Marei
Saeed’s story:
In Yemen, civilians - especially children- continue to bear the brunt of the conflict’s devastation. In 2023 alone, landmines and ERW caused more child casualties than any other form of violence. Hodaidah governorate accounts for half of all casualties from landmines across the country (Source: OCHA HNO).
Saeed, a 13-year-old boy from Hodaidah, became another tragic victim of these hidden dangers. Saeed is one of those individuals who has not been able to receive any adequate healthcare support, including an artificial eye, leading to long-term disabilities.
He may encounter obstacles in his life due to the lack of support available for war victims in Yemen.
Saeed was supporting his family financially by collecting plastic cans and selling them. One day, he had finished collecting the plastic cans into a metal container and was making his way back home with it in a car.
When the car got close to his house, and before jumping out, he threw the materials from the car, and as he did, they exploded.
The blast changed his life forever – Saeed lost one of his eyes and with it, his ability to continue attending school. “My schoolmates bullied me at school,” Saeed said. As a result, he dropped out of formal education and now studies the Quran at the mosque.
Despite the hardships he has faced, Saeed holds onto hope. “I hope to have an artificial eye implanted so I can return to playing with my friends and go to school I would like to continue my studies,” he said.
I hope to have an artificial eye implanted so I can return to playing with my friends and go to school I would like to continue my studies,
