Elsa Buchanan is a journalist, photographer and communications specialist whose work spans conflict-affected regions and under-reported human-rights frontlines across Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.

Her reporting has covered political violence in Burundi, landmine-affected communities in Yemen, displacement and armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo, migration and refugee crises, displaced families in Palestinian camps, and environmental, social and land-rights issues in Brazil’s Amazon. Her work is grounded in long-form interviews, visual storytelling and field reporting, often in places where access is limited and people speak at personal risk.

Elsa focuses on conflict, displacement, humanitarian crises, migration and the long-term impact of violence on civilian communities. Her reporting, analysis and commentary have appeared in publications including Newsweek, International Business Times, The Independent, Metro, The Sun, Mediapart, Press Gazette, New Statesman and the World Economic Forum, among others.

Alongside her editorial work, Elsa leads media and communications for Project Masam, the humanitarian landmine-clearance initiative operating across Yemen. She works closely with demining teams across the country, documenting clearance operations, engaging with affected communities, and producing communications that highlight the humanitarian, social and economic impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance. Her work has involved extensive field visits to contaminated areas and direct engagement with survivors, local authorities and frontline clearance teams. Through Project Masam, she completed Manual Mine Clearance Level 1 training to UNMAS standards.

Her humanitarian advocacy work has focused particularly on Mine Action, civilian protection and post-conflict recovery. Through her work with Project Masam, she has documented the impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war on affected communities across Yemen, working closely with deminers, survivors, local communities and international humanitarian actors. Her role includes gathering, analysing and communicating information from complex operating environments, supporting engagement with international organisations, humanitarian partners and stakeholders, and translating field-level developments into accessible reporting and strategic communications. Through this work, she has developed particular expertise in Mine Action, civilian protection, conflict-affected communities and the operational challenges facing humanitarian programmes in insecure environments.

Elsa is also a co-founder and trustee of Datum Foundation, a UK charity working with local partners across Asia and Africa to expand access to education, healthcare and clean water.

She is available for freelance reporting, communications consultancy, research, and advisory work relating to conflict, humanitarian action, mine action and international development.