Gaza Ceasefire: Unexploded Ordnance Poses Growing Risk, NGO Warns

Risks of Unexploded Ordnance Post-Ceasefire

• ⚠️ Following the ceasefire on October 10th, Palestinians are facing increased risks from unexploded ordnance as they move more freely throughout Gaza.
• 📌 The NGO Handicap International has warned of "enormous" risks for displaced people returning home and is calling for demining equipment.

UN Mine Action Program Efforts and Concerns

• 📈 The UN Mine Action Programme (UNMAS) has received nearly 100 requests to clear unexploded ordnance since the ceasefire began.
• 💬 UNMAS anticipates the problem will worsen as people move around and reconstruction efforts commence.
• 💔 Since the war's start, UNMAS has recorded 328 victims of explosive ordnance, a number believed to be significantly underreported.

Debris Removal and Humanitarian Aid

• 🏗️ UNMAS experts are conducting assessments and working to clear an estimated 50 to 60 million tons of contaminated debris.
• ⚡ The priority is to stabilize the situation and restore life-saving infrastructure to allow people to return to a normal way of life.
• 🤝 UNMAS is scaling up its efforts to expand humanitarian work and ensure the safe delivery and reception of aid.