MAG welcomes the ceasefire with great relief and with hope for a humanitarian response on the scale that is needed. After two years, the scale of unexploded ordnance (UXO) contamination, in one of the world’s most densely populated areas, has yet to be fully determined but is likely to take many years to remedy. UXO will be present in the rubble of destroyed buildings and as well as presenting an immediate threat to communities, will hinder the restoration of critical infrastructure and services, reconstruction of buildings and residences, as well as broader impacts on agricultural land essential and food security in the future.
We know from our experience in places such as Lebanon and Syria that it is vital for affected communities to have access to information and advice that can help reduce the risk of injury or death from UXO contamination when hostilities end. It is also vital that the international community mobilises its resources and expertise to support such risk education work and begin UXO survey and clearance in Gaza as soon as possible so that reconstruction and the restoration of services can take place. In order for MAG to undertake this work, and to support the work of the wider humanitarian sector, it is vital that there is safe and open access for humanitarian organisations.
Our colleagues who are working in Gaza right now, delivering essential risk education, first aid training and psychological support services to people, are doing what they can to save lives. Those colleagues, employed by our Palestinian partner, Save Youth Future Society (SYFS), are themselves enduring incredible suffering and we remain deeply concerned for their wellbeing. They have been determined to do what they can to alleviate suffering despite insecurity, movement restrictions, and repeated displacement, adapting their methods wherever possible.
They have reached more than 377,000 people with essential information to help protect themselves and their families from the ongoing threat of unexploded bombs.
We will continue to support local partners and international humanitarian organisations in any way we can to reduce the threat of explosive ordnance right across Palestine and are committed to piloting innovative approaches through local partnerships.
