The International News Safety Institute (INSI) has provided much-needed safety and traumatic stress management training to 18 journalists from the embattled Gaza Strip.
Organised jointly with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Media Institute (IMS), and the Federation of Arab Journalists (FAJ), the three-day training course in Cairo was given by a specialist from British-based security company AKE with expert advice from the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma.
The course, from 20-22 April, taught basic battlefield first aid skills and physical risk assessment as well as how to handle the high stress they face on almost a daily basis in a situation of danger from which there is no escape.
“There is no safe place in Gaza”, one of the participants said.
Included in the training, provided free of charge, were aspects of pre-deployment and emergency planning, how to avoid becoming a target, different types of attacks and their effects, including white phosphorus, unexploded ordnance, home and office security measures, how to assess a casualty, treat wounds, broken limbs, and burns. All participants were given personal first aid kits.
“We are delighted at last to be able to provide this help to an incredibly brave group of journalists,” said INSI Director Rodney Pinder. “Gaza journalists and support staff operate under incredibly dangerous conditions to bring the pictures and story of the conflict to the world. They desperately need to know how to protect themselves. Professional safety training is vital before more lives are lost.”
At least four Palestinian journalists have been killed in different circumstances in the past three months. Many more were injured and suffering from high high levels of stress and trauma for themselves and their families.
Several buildings housing the media have been bombed. One of the journalists on the course was wounded in a bombing and expressed his appreciation for the training.
“Gaza has long been one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist,” Pinder added. “Reporting war can never be safe but INSI and its partners aim to provide the knowledge and expertise to make it safer.
“It was also good to be able to stage this training in Cairo, enabling the Gaza journalists to enjoy, however briefly, a break from the crushing circumstances of their daily existence.”