The Issue
Since 7 October 2023, 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip have suffered the consequences of active conflict and loss of access to essential goods and services. Intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations continue to be reported across Gaza. By January 2025 this had resulted in some 45,000 people killed in Gaza (70% estimated to be women and children), the displacement of 1.7 million people (75% of the population), and the widespread destruction of houses, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure.
The thousands of airstrikes, artillery attacks, and clashes within the area have left Gaza heavily contaminated by explosive remnants of war (ERW) representing a real and present danger to the people and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future, as addressing this threat comprehensively will take years, if not decades, to complete.
The Project
The project is built on the urgent need to assist local partners in empowering the people of Gaza to take charge of their safety in a highly contaminated environment. It aimed to equip Gaza’s citizens with essential information to navigate safely in both wartime and post-war situations. As such, the intervention logic was to ensure the delivery of essential risk education information to conflict-affected communities in Gaza, preventing exposure to harm.
DCA/NCA delivered training for facilitators and “master trainers” at the local partner, MA’AN Development Center. These were trained in Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) as well as Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) training with the aim of them passing on the knowledge to beneficiaries in Gaza.
The Change
The project delivered life-saving Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) and Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP) information to conflict-affected communities in Gaza, reaching 24,000 people directly and 132,000 indirectly over two months. Facilitators and Master Trainers from the local partner MA’AN were trained, empowering them to independently conduct future trainings and reducing dependency on external organizations. Ten teams of two facilitators (gender-balanced where possible) conducted 600 sessions monthly, targeting primarily adult men and adolescent boys, the most at-risk groups. EORE sessions taught participants to identify and safely respond to explosive threats, report unexploded ordnance for disposal, and map contamination areas. CPP sessions provided guidance on protective measures during conflict, including home safety, evacuation plans, rubble searches, and responses to hazards like White Phosphorus. These efforts aimed to equip communities with practical knowledge to prevent harm, protect themselves during conflict, and share life-saving information with others as they return to damaged homes or endure intermittent attacks, fostering resilience and safety amidst ongoing threats.
The Results
During the project period, a total of 2 master trainers and 20 facilitators were trained (5-day training) organized by DCA/NCA and conducted jointly with Humanitarian Inclusion (HI). As a result, a total of 1261 EORE and CPP awareness raising sessions were conducted by these facilitators master trainers reaching a total of 30, 453 beneficiaries. These beneficiaries are now equipped with knowledge on clear guidelines as to how to recognize explosive threats, where to expect it to be found, what to do if found, and how to react if accidents happen. Additionally, knowledge was gained on how to react before and during the conflict. This entails basic protective works at home, grab bag, evacuation routes, and how to behave under fire. It also has additional elements dealing with rubble search, sanitation, and how to react if hit by White Phosphorous. 25 awareness raising materials were designed, printed and distributed to the 30,453 beneficiaries. Amongst these, 80 community leaders were targeted.
Our Partner
DCA/NCA works with MA’AN Development Center to implement the project. MA’AN is an independent Palestinian development and training NGO working in Gaza and the West Bank. MA’AN is one of the largest local agencies in Palestine, supporting both humanitarian, development and empowerment programming. MA’AN maintains a thorough portfolio and expertise in cash and voucher assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene, food security and protection programming. Since the outbreak of war in 2023, the organization is actively responding in Gaza.
Our Work
DCA and NCA work in Palestine to support Palestinian communities in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem to be economically and socially resilient and active participants in decision making processes affecting their lives. This includes advocating for respect for international humanitarian law, human rights and a just peace. Since October 7, 2023, DCA/NCA has taken part in the humanitarian response to the war in Gaza.
About the project
Full title: EORE and CPP Assistance for Conflict Mitigation in Gaza
Period: June 2024 – September 2024
Partner: MA’AN Development Center
Funding: DKK 670,000
Expected number of people reached: 20,000
Main Donor: Danida
