Education and awareness-raising on the risks of explosive devices in Nouadhibou

In Mauritania, the population of Nouadhibou is informed about the risks associated with the presence of anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and explosive remnants of war.

Explosive ordnance risk education involves awareness-raising activities for communities exposed to this danger, aimed at reducing the risk of injury from explosive ordnance. Risk education encourages and promotes the adoption of safer behaviours, and aims to reduce the risk to a level that allows people to live in safe conditions and to recreate a conducive environment for economic and social development that is not hampered by contamination from explosive devices.

The 5 awareness agents provided by PNDHD and trained by HAMAP-Humanitaire are deployed in the town of Nouadhibou. Between 1 and 15 November 2023, they have already conducted 87 risk education sessions in 12 schools. Children are particularly vulnerable to the risks of explosive devices because of their curiosity. They are not aware of the danger. In many accidents, the child victim of an explosive device picks it up thinking it is a toy. It is therefore vital to teach children to recognise explosive devices.

The members of the National Fishing Federation (FNP) and the Nouadhibou Free Trades Association were also informed of the dangers of explosive devices by the 5 officers trained by HAMAP-Humanitaire, as they are particularly exposed to the risks of explosive devices on the Nouadhibou peninsula.