Ensuring safety for Syrian children - Rawan's journey
In the rural town of Al-Mu’allaqa in the Damascus countryside, an area once filled with military stores and munitions has now become a source of grave concern for its inhabitants, particularly the children. With the recent upheaval in Syria, this site, once a military hub, has become a hazardous place, vulnerable to all residents, including innocent children.
Rawan a three-year-old girl, was one of those children who unknowingly found herself in the midst of danger. On February 2, 2025, while playing with other children near this hazardous area, she was severely injured when she came into contact with unexploded ordnance.
The accident left Rawan with serious burns to her face, leaving both her and her family in deep distress. Her mother, Umm Jihad, recalls the incident with sadness but also a glimmer of hope: “Rawan was a joyful child, always running outside to play with her friends. But since the accident, her face bears the marks of that terrible day. She’s too embarrassed to play outside anymore, hiding from other children because of the scars. It has taken away her childhood.”
The incident not only affected Rawan’s physical well-being but also instilled fear in the local community. Parents, once eager to allow their children to play freely, began restricting their movements, keeping them indoors for safety. The fear of unexploded munitions became a shadow over the children’s lives, robbing them of their right to play and explore.
The transformation
However, things began to change when teams from the NPA’s Non-Technical Survey (NTS) program entered the area. Their primary goal was to assess the level of contamination and identify the hazardous zones that required urgent attention. With their thorough work, the area was systematically surveyed, and the dangerous zones were marked. Shortly after, NPA’s demining and explosive ordnance disposal teams (EOD) began their efforts to neutralize the threats posed by the leftover munitions. This operation, a collaboration between NTS and EOD teams, began to clear the area of its hazards, starting with the spaces nearest to the residential areas. Slowly but surely, the once dangerous terrain began to transform into a safer environment.
A change of heart
Umm Jihad, Rawan’s mother, shared her feelings of relief: “For me, the fear that once dominated my thoughts has been replaced by a sense of calm. Thanks to the efforts of the NPA, the land is coming back to life. Every day, as I watch the demining teams continue their work nearby, I feel more hopeful and optimistic about the future of our neighborhood. I am beginning to believe that, one day, our children will be able to play outside safely again.”
The NPA team not only focused on clearing the land but also engaged with the local population through awareness sessions. These sessions were aimed at educating children like Rawan and their families about the risks of unexploded ordnance. The goal was to ensure that the community understood the dangers surrounding them and knew how to stay safe.
Additionally, NPA’s teams deployed civilian guards to monitor and protect residents, ensuring that the dangerous munitions were not tampered with until the clearing process was complete.
Looking ahead
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the NPA’s teams, Rawan and her friends can once again begin to dream of a life where they can play outside without fear. The area, once filled with the shadows of danger, is slowly turning into a safe place for the children of Al-Mu’allaqa. Rawan, though still healing, now has a renewed sense of hope for the future, a future where she can rediscover her childhood.
In conclusion, this case study highlights the transformative power of humanitarian action. With NPA’s demining and awareness programs, Rawan’s neighborhood is gradually becoming a safer place for children to grow, learn, and play, free from the fear of unexploded ordnance. The efforts of these teams not only clear the land of physical hazards but also restore a sense of security and hope to a community that had long been living in fear.
