Landmines have been laid in Yemen during conflicts since the 1960s, most recently during the 1994 separatist war. Most of the mines are in border areas between northern and southern Yemen, and in the southern governates, now affecting more than 400 communities. Before demining operations began, approximately 800,000 Yemenis, or 6 percent of the population, were affected by mines. Landmines and UXO have caused more than 5,000 casualties in the past decade and significantly restrict the population's access to the arid country's limited agricultural land.

Sources: To Walk the Earth in Safety, June 2006
Landmine Monitor Report, 2006

IMPROVED BACKHOE

The Improved Backhoe is a modified commercial backhoe that incorporates a variety of commercial off-the-shelf attachments used for vegetation reduction and soil sifting in mine suspect areas. The vehicle has been modified by armoring the cab and chassis, and adding blast proof SETCO tires capable of withstanding multiple anti-personnel mine detonations. Among the attachments, the Rotar sifting bucket can safely collect, sift, and separate mines and other debris from mine suspected soil.

PARTNERS: Yemen Executive Mine Action Center