Background UNMAS Palestine Response
The conflict started in Gaza in October 20...
Background UNMAS Palestine Response
The conflict started in Gaza in October 2023 is anticipated to leave an unprecedented amount of explosive remnants of war (ERW) across the Gaza Strip. This will further exacerbate the ERW contamination that existed prior to 7 October 2023, stemming from previous escalations since 2008.
The ERW contamination poses an immediate risk to lives, hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid, restricts safe movement, and impedes recovery and development initiatives. This is an especially serious issue in the Gaza Strip as there are significant needs for humanitarian assistance, including rubble removal, reconstruction, food, water, and health, for almost the entire population.
In response, UNMAS Palestine implements multiple projects to mitigate the threat of ERW in Gaza to enhance safety for the vulnerable populations, as well as for UN and humanitarian partners, through delivery of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) response and explosive ordnance risk education (EORE). In the West Bank, UNMAS delivers EORE and develops the capacity of the national authorities, including the Palestine Mine Action Centre (PMAC) and the EOD Police of the Palestinian Authority.