MAA’AN Development Center Launches “Light and Safety” Initiative to Strengthen Protection and Safety for Persons with Disabilities in Basma Amal Camp
The Child Protection team at MA’AN Development Center, through the Family Centers Project, in partnership with UNICEF and in collaboration with the local protection committee in Basmat Amal Al-Shomouly Camp, launched a community initiative called “Light and Safety.” The initiative aims to improve the protection and safety environment for people with disabilities and their families, and to enhance night lighting in the camp to reduce risks of exploitation and sexual abuse.
The idea for the initiative came from a participatory process and a detailed risk analysis, focusing on the most vulnerable groups in the camp. People with disabilities and their families face major challenges moving safely at night, making them more exposed to abuse and exploitation.
The initiative targets 115 families, around 500 people, and includes several activities, such as:
Installing solar-powered lights in pathways, gathering areas, and bathrooms in the camp.
Repairing some bathrooms to ensure safe use.
Holding awareness sessions for children and families about personal safety and nighttime protection.
Involving children and people with disabilities in art activities to express their vision of a “safe environment at night.”
The local committee emphasized that the initiative aims to enable people with disabilities to safely access basic services at night, reduce the risks of harassment and violence, and raise community awareness about disability-related protection issues and children’s rights.
The center praised the collaboration with the community committee and its role in the initiative’s success, highlighting the importance of fostering responsibility and active participation among all camp residents.
This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to improve the protection environment in displacement camps and ensure that the most vulnerable groups have access to a safe and stable environment.
