UNIFIL Civil Military Coordination (CIMIC) Unit along with Civil Affairs, the Engineering Support Section and Italian Chemical Laboratory medical service from Sector West completed a two-day vocational training course for water filtration system supervisors in partnership with four municipalities: Tibnin, Frun, Arzun and Yarin on July 1st.

The objective of the vocational training was to enhance the sustainability level of the UNIFIL funded Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) related to the water filtration systems that have been implemented since 2007 in the above municipalities. Each project supervisor was provided with the basic "Know How" to conduct regular and essential maintenance of the technologically advanced QIPs already in place. Hence, the crash course was also aimed at reducing the cost of the water filtration systems maintenance, which affects the municipalities' budgets.

The trainees got a clear understanding of the procedures for an effective maintenance of the water filtration systems. Indeed, after several practical simulations and tests on the sanitation system, conducted in Tibnin's governmental high school, the project supervisors were also able to successfully execute the chlorination process and the sampling procedures of the filtered water for further chemical analysis.

During the first day, the trainees were briefed by Dr Guido Gimbo, Lieutenant Colonel of the Italian Army medical service, on the importance of the water sanitation and on the safety procedures to avoid infectious diseases and pandemic outbreaks such as cholera and severe forms of dysentery, particularly during the summer season.

The technical topics related to the water filtration systems were covered by Mr Zakhia Al Berry, water sanitation technician from UNIFIL's Engineering Support Section, who also performed the entire on the job training, covering the aspects related to the maintenance, as well as to the electric and chemical handling safety procedures.

"The two-day crash course provided all the trainees with the capacity to safeguard UNIFIL funded QIPs worth $68,000, affecting 13,500 inhabitants of Tibnin, Yarin, Frun and Arzun municipalities, including other nearby villages. Such ventures "clearly show UNIFIL's full commitment to back local institutions in governance and capacity building" stated Captain Ciro Parisi, UNIFIL CIMIC Unit Assessments and Projects Officer.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Video Editor: Suzane Badereddine
Video Camera: Mohamad Hamze
Photo: Pascual Gorriz Marcos

-----------------------------------------------------------