Since a fragile ceasefire was agreed two weeks ago in Gaza, MAG’s emergency response teams, through our partner Save Youth Future Society, have been doing everything possible to deliver life-saving information to people returning home. Every message shared could save a life.
Our colleague Najat, who leads community risk education sessions in Gaza, described what she’s seeing on the ground:
“Since people started returning to the north of Gaza, everyone wants to listen and learn more about explosive hazards. Even when they’re tired or in a rush, families stop to ask what to do if they find something strange. That shows how important our work is right now.”
Since 9 October, teams have delivered life-saving risk education to 18,911 people, including 1,267 children, who are among those at highest risk due to their natural curiosity.
They have reached returnees along key roads and entry points back into northern areas of Gaza, delivering emergency sessions and distributing brochures.
Teams in the middle and southern areas have continued sessions at intersections and displacement camps, while full sessions for children, men, and women have now resumed across the south.
Some teams have even been able to partially resume work in Gaza City – one of the most heavily impacted areas and previously impossible to reach.
Furthermore, our digital risk education campaign on Facebook and Instagram has reached over 700,000 people in just 14 days, helping families access life-saving information online when in-person sessions are not possible. These digital messages are a vital tool in ensuring that communities across Gaza can recognise and avoid explosive hazards, no matter where they are.
People we’ve reached have told us how much this information means: “After the ceasefire, we started hearing about many injuries caused by explosive remnants of war. Thank you for coming and raising our awareness. My children now know what to do when they see something unusual.”
Another returnee shared: “When I saw the team on the road handing out brochures and talking to people, I felt safer. It’s good to remind people of the danger, especially after seeing others injured by remnants of the war recently.”
The situation remains unstable, and the ceasefire is fragile. But MAG’s work delivering risk education is a critical first step to help families stay as safe as possible as they begin to return and rebuild their lives.
