MAG experts assist the UN Palestinian relief organisation (UNRWA) in Nahr El-Bared

Reuters
Friday, 21 September 2007
By Geoff Turner

From today [Friday] until Sunday, 3 MAG staff will be accompanying UNRWA mission inside Nahr El-Bared camp in Tripoli. The UNRWA mission will be conducting an assessment of the level of building damage within the camp as part of the reconstruction efforts. Unexploded ordnance is still littered within the camp and MAG's technical expertise will facilitate safe access to key locations. The Lebanese Armed Forces and the Lebanon Mine Action Centre are facilitating the efforts of MAG to support the UNRWA.

NGO MAG is vastly experienced in emergency clearance operations. Following the Israeli bombing and ground attacks on Lebanon last year, MAG had specialists on the ground the day after the cessation of hostilities. This quick response, clearing thousands of deadly cluster munitions in the first hours and days, undoubtedly avoided many casualties amongst the returning population.

The Nahr El Bahred refugee camp is home to some 30,000 displaced Palestinians. MAG's work alongside the UNRWA will assist the safe return of the thousands displaced by the fighting and will remove the risk to life for those living in the camp.

Today MAG runs 22 dedicated teams in Lebanon, which are clearing deadly cluster munitions and other remnants of conflict. Since August 2006, MAG has searched and cleared more than 5.1 million m/sq of land in the south, destroying more than 15,000 remnants of conflict and assisting some 450,000 people at risk from death and injury.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/220485/119038866845.htm