Abeer, Deminer in Syria: "Each mine removed is a seed of hope"

After 13 years of armed conflict, Syria is one of the countries most affected by explosive remnants of war. These are buried in fields, along roadsides, or near homes, and continue to injure and kill civilians. For many families, everyday activities - farming the land, moving freely, or letting children play outside - have become dangerous. 

In this context, demining is much more than a necessity: it enables people to rebuild their lives. It is to contribute to the reconstruction of Syrian society that Abeer decided to become a deminer. 

Firsthand witness 

Abeer is 35 years old and a mother of four. She is from the city of Idlib. She worked for four years with Humanity & Inclusion (HI)'s explosive ordnance risk-education team in Syria, and also took part in psychosocial support and community health activities. 

Being in close contact with communities, she witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of landmine explosions and explosive remnants of war. This motivated her to train as a deminer, to clear contaminated land so that people can live safely.. 

"I chose to become a deminer because I saw the consequences of landmines’ accidents: a child who had lost his arm and a young man who simply wanted to farm his land but became a victim," says Abeer.  

A profession requiring discipline 

Last January, Abeer completed a demining training program organised by HI. She learned to identify different types of explosive remnants of war, to use protective equipment, to handle tools safely, and to follow all procedures of a demining operation. 

Since March, Abeer has been involved in non-technical surveys: a crucial preliminary step that consists of identifying contaminated areas, collecting testimonies from residents, and determining priority areas for intervention. Very soon, she will join a demining team deployed in the field. 

“Each mine removed is a seed of hope” 

“Removing a mine is not just taking away a piece of metal. It means planting a seed of hope and safety in soil that was once contaminated by fear and death,” says Abeer.  

More women committed to rebuilding the country 

Her family supports her commitment, convinced of the importance of her mission. 

In her city, even though few women work in demining, the situation is gradually changing, and more are getting involved in this field. For Abeer, rebuilding Syria is not just about reconstructing houses or repairing roads. It is also about making the land safe so that people can live there without fear. 

"The real return, after years of conflict, doesn't just mean going back to a place. We need clearance to regain a safe life. A country cannot be rebuilt on land contaminated by fear and death," Abeer explains.