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On the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, the Syria Mine Action Area of Responsibility (AoR) presents a collection of partner stories from across the country, illustrating the critical role of mine action in restoring safety, protecting lives, and enabling communities to rebuild.
Years of conflict have left Syria contaminated by explosive ordnance, posing a persistent and widespread threat to civilians. As people return to their homes, resume agricultural activities, and seek to rebuild their lives, exposure to explosive hazards remains a daily reality. Incidents continue to occur in residential areas, farmland, and along routes used for livelihoods, underscoring the urgency of sustained mine action interventions.
The stories featured in this collection demonstrate how mine action — through survey and clearance, explosive ordnance risk education, and victim assistance — directly contributes to reducing civilian harm and enabling safe access to essential services, land, and infrastructure. From children returning to school, to farmers cultivating their land, to survivors receiving support and regaining independence, these accounts highlight the tangible and life-saving impact of coordinated mine action efforts.
At the same time, they reflect the scale of the challenge that remains. Continued contamination, combined with constraints affecting the scale-up of operations, means that many communities remain exposed to preventable risks.
These achievements would not be possible without the continued support of donors, whose commitment remains essential to sustaining and expanding mine action efforts across Syria. The Syria Mine Action AoR extends its sincere appreciation to all partners for their dedication and professionalism in delivering activities under often complex and constrained conditions.
As reflected in this year’s theme — “Invest in peace, invest in mine action” — sustained commitment to mine action is critical to reducing harm, restoring dignity, and enabling safe and durable recovery across Syria.
Mine action is not optional — it is a necessary step in restoring safety, dignity, and the conditions for recovery across Syria.