Tripoli, 12 July 2013:
Children in some of the most deprived and densely-populated areas of Libyan towns and cities are to get . . .[restrict]new playgrounds, providing a safe and fun environment for outdoor play.
The scheme, developed by the Ministry of Local Governance and UNICEF, is designed to give three to eleven year-olds from low-income and marginalised backgrounds access to safe play areas.
The pilot project will install 13 playgrounds, provided by UNICEF, in Libya’s main towns and cities, as well as Ajdabiya, Emsalata, Bani Walid and Obari.
The new playgrounds will be located where access to recreational spaces is limited, but away from hazards such as busy roads, so they can be reached safely by children. They are also intended to keep the country’s youth away from unsafe areas where there may still be unexploded ordinance.
UNICEF hopes the new play areas will help children recover from the negative effects of the revolution, during which many witnessed violence and destruction.
“These playgrounds will provide Libyan children in these cities with a safe space that can help relieve psychological distress they may be facing dating back to the 2011 revolution,” said knowledge management specialist Luzma Montano, at a meeting to discuss locations for the playgrounds.
“When children exercise their right to play, they enjoy physical, social, intellectual and emotional development,” Montano said, “this is essential for the healthy development of all children.”
If the pilot scheme proves successful, more playgrounds may be built. [/restrict]
