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Yassin’s photo story: From collecting scrap metal to raising awareness among friends

This photo story documents the impact of humanitarian mine action interventions in Al-Shami village, Taiz Governorate. With the humanitarian funding from the European Union (EU), the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has provided explosive ordnance risk education and landmine clearance, helping children like Yassen learn safer behaviors and better protect themselves from danger.

Yassin, a 6-year-old boy from Al-Shami village in Taiz Governorate, used to regularly collect scrap metal to sell in local markets to help support his family. This daily activity was driven by economic necessity, with no prior knowledge of the severe dangers associated with unexploded items and remnants of war.

In response to the identified risks in the area, Danish Refugee Council’s awareness team provided risk education in schools and with community in Al-Shami village. These sessions proved to be a critical turning point for Yassin, introducing him for the first time to the various shapes of hazardous objects and their threat to life.

Yassin demonstrated excellent engagement during the awareness activities. He was able to accurately match the illustrative posters presented by the team with the metal objects he had previously handled.

This critical link helped correct his misconceptions and immediately adopt safe behavior.

Following the session, Yassin took the initiative to share his newly acquired knowledge with his friends using the awareness brochures funded by the EU, distributed by the DRC team, reviewing the safety information together to reinforce learning.

Yassin enjoyed contributing to his passion for drawing by sketching the strange items that were discussed in the risk education session, using art to express his understanding of hazards.

Today, Yassin and his friends safely enjoy their childhood. They play football in areas that have been fully cleared and verified, demonstrating the success of the joint intervention in changing public behavior and restoring stability to the community.

Thanks to funding from the EU through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, DRC reached 5,000 individuals with risk education, provided 1,662 EORE sessions, and cleared 64,000 square meters of land in Hodeidah and Taiz between July 2023 and May 2026.