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Had the series of explosions at the Mpila munitions depot that devastated Brazzaville earlier this year happened on a weekday rather than a Sunday, then the death toll of 282 could have been 20 times higher.
Thankfully Pierre Ntsiete School, located half a mile from the blasts that launched hundreds of unexploded and unstable munitions across a 600,000m2 area, was closed for the weekend and its 5,000 pupils had a lucky escape.
While severely damaged, the school was not completely destroyed, unlike three others in the area. And after a MAG Explosive Ordnance Disposal team cleared the site of unexploded ordnance (UXO), the authorities were able to rebuild the damaged classrooms.
Now completely renovated, Pierre Ntsiete School has reopened and is also temporarily hosting students from those schools that were flattened.
With UXO continuing to pose the threat of death or injury in the surrounding areas, MAG Community Liaison teams carried out three days of Risk Education sessions at the school, to raise awareness of the risk and explain how pupils can keep themselves and their families safe.
Murals were also painted on the walls, highlighting these safety messages.
“Your removal of the munitions scattered in our school, and the awareness activities carried out with our students about the risks of unexploded ammunition is crucial,” said headteacher George Nguembili.
“We feared for the safety of our children after the Mpila tragedy, but because of these Risk Education sessions our children now know the dangers.”
Thanks to the following donors for their vital support in assisting MAG's emergency response in Brazzaville:
• British Embassy in Kinshasa
• ECHO (European Commission - Humanitarian Aid & Civil Protection)
• European Union Delegation in Republic of Congo
• Federal Republic of Germany
• PA Resources
• UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service)
