Saudi Arabia has extended the contract of the Saudi Project for Landmines Clearance in Yemen (MASAM) for an additional year with a cost of more than $33 million.
“Renewing the contract with the implementing partner stems from the sense of humanitarian responsibility the center has towards our brothers in Yemen,” said Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah.
Rabeeah said the project represents great importance in clearing Yemeni lands from mines manufactured and installed by the Houthi militia.
He said that the mines are targeting innocent civilians and causing chronic disabilities and several human losses that targeted women, children, and the elderly.
The project has managed to clear 346,570 various types of explosive materials so far, according to Rabeeah.
He extended appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, for their humanitarian and relief efforts in several countries of the world, and in Yemen in particular.
The project is implemented by Saudi personnel and international experts through Yemeni teams.
For his part, MASAM Program Manager Osama Al-Gosaibi told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday that the project has become the only “safety valve” capable of preventing the Houthi-planted mines from killing Yemenis.
He extended gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince for accepting to extend the project contract for the fifth year in a row.
