Explosive ordnance risk education in Nouadhibou

In Mauritania, the people of Nouadhibou are being informed about the risks posed by anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and explosive remnants of war.

Explosive ordnance risk education covers awareness activities among communities exposed to this danger, aimed at reducing the risk of injury from explosive devices. Risk education encourages and promotes safer behaviour, and aims to reduce the risk to a level that allows people to live in good safety conditions and to recreate an environment favourable to economic and social development unhindered by explosive contamination.

The 5 awareness officers made available by the PNDHD and trained by HAMAP-Humanitaire are deployed in the town of Nouadhibou. Between 1^st and 15 November 2023 they had already run 87 risk education sessions in 12 schools. Children are particularly vulnerable to the risks of explosive ordnance because of their natural curiosity. They are not aware of the danger. In many accidents, the child hurt by an explosive device had picked it up thinking it was a toy. It is therefore vital to teach children to recognise explosive ordnance.

Members of the National Fishing Federation (FNP) and of the Nouadhibou association of independent trades have also been reached by the 5 officers trained by HAMAP-Humanitaire, because their work particularly exposes them to the risks of explosive ordnance on the Nouadhibou peninsula.