Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer Ensures Safe Passage of Humanitarian Convoys in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

Paul, an explosive ordnance disposal officer from MAG, has been assisting in the safe passage of vital humanitarian convoys in Gaza, supporting 25 convoys with between 60-100 vehicles delivering essential supplies. He was seconded to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and worked closely with UN agencies, including the World Food Programme and World Health Organisation, to advise on the risks of explosive hazards. Paul has 16 years of experience working for MAG in the Middle East, Africa, and south east Asia and will complete a further four month-long postings to Gaza in the coming months.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul, an explosive ordnance disposal officer from MAG, has supported 25 convoys of between 60-100 vehicles delivering essential supplies to Gaza, including vaccines, medicines, food, and fuel.
  • He was seconded to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and worked closely with UN agencies to advise on the risks of explosive hazards, with journeys lasting up to 12 hours and requiring careful route planning.
  • MAG is providing Digital Explosive Ordnance Risk Education messaging to those caught up in the war, including information on recognising and responding to explosive threats.
  • The conflict has left a significant amount of unexploded ordnance in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that hundreds of thousands of missiles, grenades, shells, and other weapons may have failed to explode.
  • Clearance of ordnance will be essential to enable the restoration of critical infrastructure and enable humanitarian access, with a complex process involving different approaches to render explosive items safe.

Statistics:

  • 25 convoys of between 60-100 vehicles supported by Paul in Gaza.
  • 1.7 million people internally displaced by the war in Gaza, according to the United Nations Palestinian relief agency UNRWA (as of 26 April 2024).
  • 75% of the population of Gaza are sheltering in UNRWA installations.
  • 500,000 people have no home to return to.
  • 70% of Gazas infrastructure has been destroyed.
  • 70% of school buildings have been damaged and are being used to shelter internally displaced people.

Sources:

  • United Nations Palestinian relief agency UNRWA (26 April 2024)
  • Oxfam
  • MAG (MAG supports the civilian population caught up in conflict - Gaza)
  • Al Bawaba (Albawaba.com) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ().