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Myriam's journey into Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE)

Myriam’s story with Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) is one of a kind, unexpected from the start but so full of meaning looking back. She was destined to be a game changer in mine action, because it was already in her blood. From the corporate world, she transitioned to humanitarian action with dedication, resilience and deep personal connection to the reality of conflict affected communities.

As a Community Liaison Technical Advisor with Mines Advisory Group (MAG), she contributes to work towards standardization in risk education through integrated innovative approaches with one goal: giving people the tools to rebuild their lives.

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Myriam was born in Beirut, Lebanon, a city marked by the scars of conflict. For long, she was no stranger to the impact of war, but was not fully aware of what wars leave behind. It wasn’t until much later, when her mother, working with MAG, began sharing stories about explosive ordnance contamination and safety messages, that Myriam’s understanding of the long-term effects of war truly deepened. This stark realization planted the seeds for her eventual pivot away from her initial career in the corporate world.

"My mother had many inspiring stories, and no matter how tired she was I could see her eyes sparkle. One day, I was ready. I wanted to wake up feeling I could contribute to the world in a more meaningful way."

Initially, she ventured into the Shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectors, supporting development and humanitarian projects, but in 2017, an opportunity with MAG in Iraq opened a new chapter in her life. “What an eye-opener it was,” she recalls of her first expatriate experience. Working as a Community Liaison Manager, she came face to face with the realities of explosive ordnance contamination and its devastating effects on communities. In one powerful example, she recalls a visit to a village in Iraq, recently liberated from ISIS.

“It was very eerie, it was the first time I felt it in my stomach. I could feel that life had stopped.”

The village was riddled with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and had it not been for MAG’s EORE intervention in a school attended by the villages’ displaced children, many families would have returned home to a “death trap.” Her first experience was a door opening to a world she didn’t know enough of, but that she’s very proud to be a part of now.

Over the past two years, as a Community Liaison Technical Advisor with MAG, Myriam has supported mine action programmes across continents, from Africa to East Asia and beyond. Her role allows her to not only influence global mine action strategies but also remain grounded in the realities of the field.

“One of the reasons I love this job is that I can think globally but act locally, ensuring that what we do is relevant and adaptable to the specific needs of each community we work with.”

Myriam emphasizes that MAG’s pioneering work in the community liaison approach to mine action is one of the keys to its success.

It’s about more than just clearing land; MAG ensures that communities are empowered with the knowledge to stay safe, and engaged in the identification, prioritization, and delivery of interventions that affect their lives and futures. Moreover, she believes that holistic collaborations and enhancing integration of EORE across various sectors are essential to respond to the increasing  complexities of conflict affected populations’ needs. She insists that building trust with field teams, working closely together, and engaging them in EORE development is crucial for adapting to changing contexts and fostering innovation: the teams are multi-skilled, making them highly versatile. They do it all; from assessing needs, establishing solid relationships with communities, authorities, and stakeholders, delivering EORE, to supporting clearance, supporting referrals and assessing impacts.

“They are the first in the field and the last out,” she explains proudly. This collaborative environment, where diverse perspectives are embraced, is what fuels meaningful change. Myriam’s journey is equally rich and varied. Her personal experiences have deepened her understanding of human suffering and strengthened her empathy, while her corporate background has equipped her to lead ambitious global projects. Despite her accomplishments, she remains humble, emphasizing the need for continuous growth and adaptation; because what matters is to inspire, think creatively, and explore what truly works best.

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Photo credits:

- Colleagues from MAG's different Middle East programmes participate in an practical exercise on mapping hazardous areas - regional NTS training, Iraq, MAG. © Myriam

- Visiting CL and NTS activities in Ras Baalbek, Lebanon, MAG. © MAG

- MAG team provides EORE to a new generation of school children in Sri Lanka.© Myriam.

- University students receive an EORE session in Ukraine ahead of their summer break, MAG. Credits.© Myriam.

- Leading and co-delivering a regional NTS training of trainers for the Middle East Region - Iraq, MAG © MAG

- Leading and co-delivering a regional NTS training of trainers for the Middle East Region - Iraq, MAG © MAG