UNIFIL outreach peacekeepers organized an entertaining and awareness-raising event for the children living in an orphanage in the village of Maroub, west of Tyre, last week.

The peacekeepers from the UN Mission’s Military Community Outreach Unit (MCOU), Civil-Military Cooperation unit and the Task Force Italian Air were joined by Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) personnel in the Imam Ali Orphanage, run by Al-Mabarrat Association, on 19 December.

Together, they taught the young children living there how to cook Italian dishes, gave presentations on the work of UNIFIL as well as on mine awareness.

Those who learned cooking Italian cuisines later prepared pizza and pasta for 112 people.

UNIFIL outreach peacekeepers from Indonesia performed a “Blue Barrel show” with two barrels with painted faces which depicted the real Blue Barrels dotting the Blue Line. These barrels, installed by UNIFIL peacekeepers, visibly mark the Blue Line, preventing any inadvertent crossing and dangers therein. During the presentation, the UNIFIL peacekeepers also explained the Mission’s work in coordination with the LAF.

Later, LAF personnel from the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) gave a presentation on the dangers posed by explosive ordnances and the ways to stay safe.

Between their core peacekeeping duties, UNIFIL peacekeepers regularly carry out various activities in support of and as requested by the host communities, which – together with their operational activities – have helped keep calm in the Mission’s area of operation for over 13 years.