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In January 2009, MAG launched an emergency operation in Gaza to respond to the urgent needs of communities following the Israeli bombardment in late 2008. According to the Palestine Ministry of Health, the conflict left an estimated 1,300 Palestinians dead and thousands of others injured. The violence also left countless individuals at risk from unexploded ordnance (UXO) cotamination resulting from munitions that failed to detonate on impact. UXO not only threatens the life and safety of individuals, it further impedes the reconstruction of homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land. To address this problem MAG has deployed highly skilled technical teams throughout the area.
The goal of MAG's Gaza program is to contribute to post-conflict reconstruction efforts by ensuring as safe an environment as possible for the local population and development agencies in Gaza.
To reach this goal, MAG has:
- Deployed highly skilled technical teams to conduct urgent assessment, survey, and clearance of UXO in Gaza
- Provided mine risk education (MRE) to local communities and relief agencies to raise awareness about the risks associated with UXO and to provide ways to stay safe in such a contaminated environment
MAG has coordinated its efforts with relevant authorities and the UN to facilitate an appropriate response to the problem. This has significantly reduced the threat from UXO to civilians and humanitarian agencies, and has also enabled the safe reconstruction of buildings, the development of the infrastructure, and supported the restoration of vital services such as water, sanitation, and electricity.