Aleppo – Azaz | Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation
Amidst the increasing challenges faced by the northern Aleppo countryside due to the widespread presence of war remnants and mines, the Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation organized an intensive training session titled “Awareness and Protection from War Remnants and Mines in the Northern Aleppo Countryside.” Held on June 4, 2025, and lasting six hours, the session was attended by 36 participants from various active entities.
Dangerous Reality and Urgent Need for Awareness
With the growing return of residents to their villages and towns that were once military zones, awareness of the dangers of mines and war remnants has become an utmost necessity, especially given the many casualties, particularly among children. The session aimed to raise the awareness level of local residents and coordinate roles among various parties, from mine clearance engineering teams to Civil Defense, the Syrian Red Crescent, the International Red Cross, local councils, and community activists.
Active Participation and Valuable Interventions
Representatives from Civil Defense, mine clearance teams, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the International Red Cross, and a number of local activists participated in the session. Illustrative videos and photos were displayed, and participating entities provided an overview of their field work, challenges, and coordination efforts to protect civilians.
Awareness brochures and posters were also distributed to the participating local entities, with the aim of conveying the message to as many residents as possible.
Voices from the Field
“We lack modern tools and use rudimentary methods, which makes our work dangerous,” said a member of one of the volunteer teams working in mine clearance.
Another Civil Defense member added: “There are new types of remnants we didn’t know before, some of them are very sensitive and pose a great threat, especially to children.”
One of the participating teachers demanded “implementing awareness sessions in parks, schools, and public facilities to ensure the message reaches everyone.”
Fruitful Conclusion and Positive Evaluation
The session concluded with a post-evaluation by participants, which showed the importance of such initiatives in raising local community awareness and opening new avenues for cooperation among different parties. Attendees unanimously agreed on the importance of continuing to organize such meetings, which are a cornerstone in building a safe environment that supports the return of displaced persons and contributes to restoring stability.
For more details: Steps Center Holds Workshop to Raise Awareness of Mine Dangers and War Remnants
