Exploratory missions to prepare future action

As part of its commitment against mines and explosive remnants of war, HAMAP-Humanitaire carried out two exploratory missions, in Palestine and in Syria.

Main objectives:

  • Assess humanitarian needs
  • Analyse how feasible action would be
  • Identify local partners
  • Understand constraints on the ground

These missions are an essential step towards:

  • Designing suitable projects
  • Ensuring they last
  • Increasing the impact of future work

Palestine: critical explosive contamination

An alarming humanitarian context

Palestine faces massive contamination by explosive ordnance:

  • Intensified strikes since October 2023
  • Gaza among the most contaminated territories in the world
  • Access restrictions in the West Bank limiting operations

A major challenge: managing the rubble

In Gaza, the situation is made worse by:

  • Around 42 million tonnes of rubble
  • High risk of unexploded ordnance in the debris
  • Difficulty for people to return home

A mission to identify priorities

The exploratory mission, from 2 to 8 February 2025, made it possible to:

  • Identify urgent mine action needs
  • Analyse the local ecosystem
  • Meet the sector's key actors

Main needs identified:

  • Explosive ordnance risk education (EORE)
  • Clearance of contaminated areas
  • Victim assistance
  • Strengthening local capacity

Towards lasting action

The mission confirmed:

  • The humanitarian emergency
  • The need for structured support
  • The importance of backing local actors

It lays the groundwork for a lasting commitment alongside the Palestinian people.

Syria: a complex post-conflict setting

A situation shaped by 14 years of war

Since the collapse of the regime in December 2024:

  • More than 500,000 dead
  • Nearly half the population displaced
  • A heavily fragmented territory

Sharply rising explosive contamination

Since the end of the conflict:

  • A significant rise in casualties
  • Widely contaminated land
  • An urgent need for clearance and awareness raising

A mission to prepare future action

Objectives of the mission, from 5 to 17 March 2025

  • Identify and assess local partners
  • Analyse mine action needs
  • Understand the institutional framework
  • Examine security and logistical constraints

Results

The mission delivered:

  • A precise mapping of needs
  • The identification of key actors
  • A better understanding of conditions on the ground

Outlook and future commitment

Towards concrete action

Despite the challenges:

  • Solid partnerships are being built
  • Action is envisaged in the short and medium term

A humanitarian emergency that persists

The needs remain considerable:

  • Clearing contaminated areas
  • Rebuilding the territories
  • Protecting civilians

HAMAP-Humanitaire remains mobilised to support the people affected and to help bring about a lasting return to safe living conditions.