Emergency Heritage Response: Taawon Concludes Specialized Training for Palestinian Architects
As part of the “QUDSI – Revive for Resilience” project, funded by the European Union and supervised by UN-Habitat, the Old Cities of Jerusalem Revitalization Program (OCJRP) at Taawon concluded a specialized remote training titled:
“Reinforcement & Strengthening of Historical Buildings in Case of Emergency – First Aid.”
Held via Zoom over March and April 2025, the training brought together 27 Palestinian architects and engineers from Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, with the goal of building rapid response capacity to safeguard historic buildings during emergencies and disasters.
Led by a group of regional and international experts — Dr. Jean Yasmine, Dr. Ayman Herzallah, and Eng. Abdel Hamid Salah — the course included 9 sessions covering key theoretical and practical modules such as:
• Cultural heritage emergency management
• Risk assessment and response planning
• First aid techniques for historic buildings
• Documentation and coordination during crisis response
• Foundations of post-disaster recovery
In his closing remarks, Eng. Bashar Al-Husseini, Acting Director of OCJRP at Taawon, thanked all participants and trainers, emphasizing the importance of continuing this type of capacity building, especially in light of urgent recovery needs in Gaza.
Participants praised the quality of the training. Architect Hafez Al-Ashhab remarked, “We truly appreciate the efforts behind this valuable and impactful course,” while contractor Ashraf Amira added, “Thanks to everyone who contributed to this outstanding program.”
This training reflects Taawon’s ongoing commitment to preserving Palestinian cultural heritage and enhancing preparedness through knowledge and professional development — ensuring that local actors are equipped to respond effectively in times of crisis.