Yemen

About

Contamination from landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW) continues to affect extensive areas across Yemen, particularly along the West Coast, posing a persistent threat to civilians, humanitarian actors and United Nations personnel. Explosive contamination along roads, agricultural land, coastal areas and access routes endangers lives, restricts freedom of movement and undermines livelihoods in already fragile communities.

The protracted conflict and deteriorating economic conditions in Yemen have led to increased risk-taking behaviors, as civilians are compelled to return to contaminated land for farming, grazing, fishing and daily movement, resulting in ongoing injuries and fatalities caused by explosive ordnance. Within this context, the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY) exercises good offices to enable the resumption of a peaceful, inclusive, orderly, Yemeni-led political transition that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people, through dialogue and confidence-building measures.

OSESGY works closely with national mine action authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners to support safe operations and access in contaminated areas, including through the coordination and delivery of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) initiatives for UN staff, humanitarian actors and affected communities. Mine Action plays a key role in the high-level talks at the regional and country-wide forums on peace, CBMs, and especially future road opening across the frontlines.

Impact

Supported the UN mine action interventions under the lead of UNDP and the Resident Coordinator.
Supported the coordination and delivery of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) for United Nations staff and humanitarian personnel, enhancing awareness of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), improvised explosive devices (IED), and other ERW risks and improving safe behavior and reporting in contaminated areas.
Supported confidence-building measures in support of the Security Arrangements Team within the Envoy’s office.

Activities

1. Mine Action Coordination and Strategic Engagement

OSESGY assists existing coordination mechanisms led by mandated agencies, promotes information-sharing and undertakes advocacy to ensure sustained attention to explosive contamination risks within broader protection of civilians and humanitarian access discussions.

2. Monitoring, Verification and Protection Analysis

Explosive ordnance-related risks and incidents are systematically documented and analyzed to inform protection responses, advocacy and operational decision-making.

OSESGY monitors and verifies landmine and ERW incidents within its area of operation, particularly those affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, and analyzes trends related to casualties, locations and activities at the time of incidents. This information is used to inform United Nations reporting, strengthen protection analysis, support evidence-based advocacy and guide prioritization of risk mitigation measures.

3. Risk Mitigation, Awareness and Community Support

Civilians, humanitarian actors and United Nations personnel are better informed of explosive risks and supported to operate safely in contaminated environments.

OSESGY supports the coordination and delivery of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) initiatives for United Nations staff, humanitarian personnel and affected communities, with a focus on promoting safe behavior, hazard recognition and reporting. In addition, UNMHA supports victim-centered responses through targeted Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), contributing to assistance for mine and ERW survivors, community resilience and livelihood recovery in districts most affected by explosive contamination.

Funding

The Envoy’s office does not have the mandate to fund any demining operations in Yemen; it promotes support for mine action in regional and international forums through advocacy and information sharing.

Data as of April 2026