Risk education promoting safe returnsWhen IS invaded the town of Yathrib in Salah Al-din governorate they terrorized the population, stole their possessions, treated women dishonourably, used dangerous explosive devices in battles and planted improvised mines. The local population feared for their lives and could no longer move freely and farm their land. Many fled the village for safer places.

36 year old Mushtaq Samr Ahmed fled from Yathrib with his family – including his wife Usama, their five children and Usama’s brother Adil – in November 2014. The family lived in Arbat Camp in Sulaymaniyah district where 21 year old Adil was able to continue his education and manage a small shop inside the camp to earn some money.

MAG community liaison teams visited the IDP camp to provide education on the risk of mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), particularly for when they return to

Success through partnership

their villages. The risk education sessions cover the different types of mines and ERW so that they know how to reduce their risk of being harmed and know who to alert if they come across contamination.

Mushtaq, Usama, their children and Adil received risk education while living in Arbat IDP Camp. Mushtaq was very grateful for the time that the MAG community liaison team, supported by OFDA, spent educating them.

‘’We thank MAG for delivering the awareness session in all its aspects to displaced people. Because of your good Risk Education, we have learnt that when we return we should not enter our houses rushing, that we should not travel during night time, and that we should keep our children safe by not letting them play in dangerous and suspected areas and not

Interview with Adil at Arbat IDP camp

letting them touch things that are not theirs.”Since receiving mine risk education, Mushtaq and his family have returned home to Yathrib which has been liberated from IS control. Unfortunately Mushtaq’s land is heavily contaminated with improvised mines and ERW so he is unable to resume work and due to the widespread use of explosives, access to water sources and electricity has been cut off. However, as a result of the risk education they received, upon their return to their town, the family was careful of potential explosive hazards and are cautious throughout their daily activities to keep themselves safe. “After we returned to our village we paid attention to the danger of mines and ERWs,” Mushtaq said. “We hope that your organization in both its MRE and clearance segments can start operations in our area, and we wish you success.’’ Understanding the importance of the safety education, the family has shared risk awareness messages with their neighbours and relatives.

Children play at Arbat IDP camp

“We have learnt that when we return we should not enter our houses rushing, that we should not travel during night time, and that we should keep our children safe”.

Mushtaq has now returned to Yathrib with his wife Usama and their five children (pictured)