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Home » Safety First: UNMASS conducts explosive remnants of war awareness sessions with Palestine Refugee Students in Gaza

Safety First: UNMASS conducts explosive remnants of war awareness sessions with Palestine Refugee Students in Gaza

23 August 2021

As part of UNRWA efforts to enhance the physical and psychological wellbeing of children in Gaza, particularly after the recent military escalation in May, the Agency, in collaboration with UNMASS, delivered a series of awareness sessions about remnants of war. Taking place during Keeping Kids Cool (KKC) summer camps, the sessions aimed to mitigate the risk of hazardous remnants of war and enhance community safety.

UNRWA children, receiving an awareness session ERW at Asma’a ElemeneCoeducational school. © 2021 UNRWA Photo by Mohamed Hinnawi.Students were taught to avoid unsafe behaviours around explosive remnants and how to notify the appropriate authorities if they find anything that resembles an unexploded remnant. “They are also taught how to stay safe with their families during air strikes,” Bridget Foster a programme organizer. UNMAS also delivered training courses to a targeted number of UNRWA counselors and KKC location managers. Seventeen Mental Health and Psychosocial Unit (MHPSS) specialists participated in the trainings. According to UNMAS, explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) messages should be carefully delivered using techniques that ensure to "do no harm" to children.UNMAS provided KKC locations with posters and other printed materials for ERW awareness sessions. Dr. Iyad Zaqout, Head of the Educational Programme MHPSS unit said, “These sessions affirm the Agency’s strong commitment to saving lives and addressing the psychosocial impact on the civilian population. Our children have survived the most stressful and agonizing times. Through these sessions, they learn what to do in case of bombardment which alleviates their anxiety and tension, particularly at times of conflict. MHPSS believes that taking care of Palestine refugee children after the last escalation is essential to their safety.” Malak Abu Sharekh was among the UNRWA students who attended a session. She said, “Today we learned that we should not play with explosive remnants of war and that if we see an unidentified ordinance, we have to call the police.”Another student, Retaj Al Hajjar said, “I learned that explosive remnants of war are very dangerous; they can cause serious injury. The flyer I’m holding says a lot about how we can protect ourselves.”“The session was very fruitful. In case I encounter an explosive device, I should not touch it or stay near it until police who wear protective clothes and are experts arrive to the site. They know how to deal with it,” said Lana Abu Nahel, another programme participant.

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