Survey and disposal of Explosive Ordnance contamination in Yarmouk-Damascus (sub-objective 2) ltpgtltfontgtExplosive ordnance contamination remains a major protection
concern, dangerously affecting the lives and livelihoods of the Syrian
population. The widespread explosive contamination continues to threaten lives,
hamper access to basic services, and obstruct the delivery of humanitarian
assistance and the efforts of the international community towards building
resilience and early recovery. Records indicate that since 2013, an average of four
people per day have been killed or injured by explosive ordnance. According to
the 2022-2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO), one in two Syrians are
estimated to be living in areas containing some form of explosive
contamination. Mine action response activities are key enablers to the delivery
of humanitarian aid, services, and early recovery to assist people in need, as
well as a prerequisite to safe, dignified and voluntary return. Mine action is
a comprehensive approach which requires sustained and flexible funding and mine
action mainstreaming supports planning of all sectors through provision of
contamination data and enables safe activities by promoting life-saving behaviors through risk education, mitigating and removing threats by survey and
clearance. Yet, while delivery of explosive ordnance risk education and
awareness messages is widespread, survey and clearance remain geographically
limited and underfunded.lt/fontgtltbrgtlt/pgtltpgtltspangt
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Through this project, NPA will deploy local non-technical and technical
clearance teams within the Yarmouk camp in Damascus, to conduct contamination
survey and if needed clearance, in an effort to enhance the mine action
capacity within government-controlled areas of Syria, . The proposed project
will ensure continuation of ltspangt lt/spangtongoing
survey and clearance activities, which would otherwise be discontinued by the end
of October 2023, due to funding shortfall. As of September 2023, NPA has been
able to assess 134 buildings and recovered 93 explosive ordnance
items. Through the proposed project, NPA is planning to assess another
180 buildings, to ensure that the buildings are free from explosives and
safe for returnees. lt/spangtlt/pgtltpgtThe proposed activities will directly support sub-objective 2 within the 2023
allocation strategy, namely - Enhancing the resilience of communities to winter
conditions and households in underserved areas through livelihoods
opportunities, housing/adequate shelter, and service delivery. Additionally, the
response will also contribute towards the priority sector of Protection by minimizing
the impact of explosive ordnance for communities most at-risk. It is important to note that the proposed project activities will be able to support UN agencies (e.g. UNRWA) and other partners working in Yarmouk in case they were to face explosive ordnance contamination during project implementation, which would pose a threat to staff, and delay planned activities.

lt/pgtltpgtltspangtltbrgtlt/spangtlt/pgtltpgtltspangtWith the coming winter season fast approaching, NPA expect an increase in returnees to Yarmouk, returnees which through the survey and clearance work carried out by NPA will have increased safety and protection.ltbrgt
ltbrgt
NPA adheres to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality,
and independence in its programming and firmly believes in the need to assess
and monitor activities to ensure that they contribute positively to social
unity and cohesion and do not contribute to further conflict – the ‘Do No Harm’
principle.lt/spangt



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