Temporary International Presence in the City of Hebron TIPH

 

TIPH is an international civilian observer mission. TIPH assists the parties in the normalisation of the situation in the city and reports on their efforts and the breaches of the agreements on Hebron and international law. TIPH reports to the Palestinian and Israeli authorities and to the six member countries.

 
 

Working together with the Hebronites

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—As a Community Relations Officer I can make a difference for the people living in Hebron, Wassila Mansouri says. She started out as an Arabic speaking observer and learned to know many people in Hebron.

Wassila, who is from the Swiss contingent, became a Community Relations Officer after having been a patrolling TIPH observer for nine months.

—I was patrolling the streets of Hebron, meeting people and getting ideas of in what areas TIPH could contribute. We are especially interested in projects in the H2 area; where the Palestinian population is living under difficult conditions.

—If you are living in a conflict area it is very important to have nice and secure places to visit where to just have fun. Many children, especially in the H2 area, are deprived of playgrounds.

To walk with Wassila through the Old City is time consuming. In every shop, on every corner someone stops her for a chat or for discussing an idea about a potential community project. She is often invited for coffee or tea and all the children love talking with her.

-This is what I like the most with my job, to be out in the streets and talk with people. Sometimes it could be the starting point for one of our community relations projects, at other times it is just a chat in the street.

Working together

Through a number of small-scale projects of educational, cultural and recreational nature, Community Relations, as part of TIPH' mandate, seeks to increase the well-being of people living in Hebron, mostly by cooperating with Palestinian organisations and institutions in Hebron.

—Working together with the local organisations makes us a part of the daily life in Hebron. It gives us a good opportunity to take part in projects which benefit the inhabitants.

Places to meet

Several projects are directed towards children and youth, supporting cultural and sport activities, summer camps and extra curriculum classes.

—Meeting places are important and we are hoping to be able to create places where people can come together. No matter if it is a place for a sport event or a café for parents with small children.

Reviving the Old City

The TIPH also supports small scale projects that contribute to the normalisation of life in Hebron.

—Many projects connect with the needs of children and youths. For example TIPH arranged a photo exhibition where 200 children were given one camera each with the assignment to take pictures describing a day in Hebron.

—I am fortunate to have a job where I have the opportunity to meet so many interesting people, says Wassila, and it is an opportunity to contribute to improving the life of the people living in the Old City.