ActionAid Palestine to Support Youth Training Initiatives to Enhance First Aid Skills During Crisis and Emergencies

Occupied Palestinian Territories – Through Global Platform -Palestine, ActionAid Palestine (AAP) supported several youth-led training sessions on first aid in the governorates of Hebron and Bethlehem. These trainings aim to enhance the role of youth in responding to disasters and capacities of targeted communities and groups to respond to emergencies, and contribute to saving lives, while preventing further injuries, especially in marginalized and closed areas that face difficulties in accessing medical teams and ambulances during disasters and Israeli settlers’ attacks.

The youth implemented three initiatives to train young people, women, and men in first aid skills in various areas of Hebron, Bethlehem, and Masafer Yatta - Susya. These training sessions targeted approximately 62 trainees from the mentioned areas.

"Youth Can" Initiative:
The "Youth Can" initiative was implemented in Hebron City in partnership with a youth group “Nabadat Shababia”, aiming to empower young people during emergencies and involve them in community service. The initiative included training workshops in first aid and psychological first aid in collaboration with the Palestinian Red Crescent team, as well as disaster response and safe evacuation during emergencies in cooperation with Palestinian Civil Defense.

"Youth for First Aid and Emergencies" Initiative:
This initiative aimed to train young people in first aid and emergency relief skills. It was implemented in collaboration with Palestinian Medical Relief. The initiative sought to enhance health awareness and increase community preparedness for quick responses to accidents and injuries, contributing to minimizing harm and saving lives.

The training included a variety of theoretical and practical activities, organized using diverse methods such as group work, competitions, and practical exercises, to promote teamwork and swift emergency responses.

The initiative focused on topics like first aid, disaster management, and safe evacuation. It aimed to build youth capacities and enable them to contribute to enhancing community safety in collaboration with medical and humanitarian organizations.

The youth leading this initiative—Deeb Zahran, Amani Al-Fawaghra, and Aya Ziada—expressed their satisfaction with the training, stating:
"We are pleased with the level of organization and cooperation during the training. The participants showed significant engagement, and we noticed great enthusiasm among the trainees, which has motivated us to continue working and improving future activities."

"A Paramedic in Every Home" Initiative:
This initiative was carried out in Susya, located in Masafer Yatta in the southern West Bank, to strengthen the resilience of residents in this marginalized area threatened by settlement expansion. Participants were provided with comprehensive first aid knowledge, in addition to practical training enabling them to manage injuries resulting from settler or military attacks in the area.

As part of the initiative, 30 first aid kits were distributed to ensure that every household has access to a kit for emergencies in this areas. Additionally, a stretcher and a glucose monitor were supplied based on the needs of the local residents.

The initiative also included intensive training for participants in Susya on preparedness and protection during emergencies, given the region’s volatile conditions and frequent settler assaults. During the training, the area experienced an attack and incursion by settlers, underscoring the importance of the initiative in building residents’ capacities to cope with challenging circumstances.

The "A Paramedic in Every Home" initiative faced several challenges during implementation, notably the difficulty of accessing the area due to its distance from Hebron City and the lack of consistent transportation. Furthermore, the team and participants were attacked by settlers during the training, forcing them to temporarily halt the sessions and resume later to ensure everyone’s safety. These challenges highlighted the immense struggles faced by the residents of these areas while emphasizing the significance of the initiative in supporting and empowering them to endure ongoing hardships.

One participant described the training as exceptional, noting that the residents of the area were in dire need of such training, especially given the worsening conditions since October 2023. This training is not only a means of teaching first aid skills but also a crucial step toward enhancing residents' resilience and ability to respond to emergencies during crises.

Fatima Nawaj’ah, a participant in the "A Paramedic in Every Home" training, shared her thoughts, saying:
"The first aid course is extremely important for women to ensure quick responses during emergencies, especially since men are not always present during such situations due to their work commitments."

About ActionAid International

ActionAid International is a global federation working with over 41 million people living in more than 72 of the world's poorest countries. We envision a world characterized by justice and sustainability, where every individual has the right to a dignified life and freedom, and a world free from poverty and oppression. We strive to achieve social justice, gender equality, and eradicate poverty.

ActionAid Palestine began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, believing in their right to enjoy freedom, justice, and self-determination. ActionAid Palestine implements several programs through its engagement with Palestinian communities and youth and women’s groups, aiming to empower women and youth and enhance their active civil and political participation to understand their rights and undertake collective action to address the rights violations resulting from the prolonged occupation, in addition to improving their leadership capacity and practicing their citizenship in holding authorities and other duty bearers accountable.

For more information, please contact:

Riham Jafari 

Communication and Advocacy Officer at ActionAid Palestine 

Email: Riham.Jafari@actionaid.org