Due to the escalation of violence in recent months and the rise in temperatures expected as Ramadan begins on 6 June, the ICRC and the PRCS organized 1st Aid trainings for male and female guards in Al-Aqsa Compound

Sheikh Azam AlKhatib, General Director of the Jordanian Jerusalem Waqf, the body responsible for the Islamic site: "Never in history has an international organisation been granted access to this holy site to carry out an activity like this. But the ICRC’s neutrality makes it different and we would like to have more similar trainings."

“First Aid is crucial for the guards working in Al Aqsa Compound because they are on the frontline, working day and night, responding to disasters like fires, injuries and waves of violence,” Azam AlKhatib.

During the five-day training, guards learnt specific skills and behaviours that First Aiders should have to act safely and effectively when caring for people caught in situations of violence or natural disasters or suffering from heat strokes.

During the Ramadan, more than 250,000 people are expected to visit this place every Friday, and it is important that the guards know how to assist the people in case of a medical emergency.

The Jordanian Kingdom, custodian of Al-Aqsa Compound, allowed the ICRC to organise the training in Jerusalem's most recognizable landmark.