UNITAMS STANDS READY TO CONTINUE ITS SUPPORT FOR A SUDAN FREE FROM EXPLOSIVE
The United Nations declared April 4th as International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action in 2005. Since then, this day is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Sudan, for the purpose of raising awareness about the threats and impacts of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, seeking assistance for mine action work.
This year’s International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action was observed under the theme and campaign, “Mine Action Cannot Wait.”
National Mine Action Authority with United Nation Mine Action Service and UNITAMS facilitated commemorating this international day on the 4th of April 2023, in Khartoum and also in the explosive ordnance affected states of Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Darfur.
Speaking on behalf of the head of UNITAMS, Mr. Volker Perthes, at the event that was held at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum, Mr. Mohammad Sediq Rashid, Chief of Mine Action Program, pointed out to Sudan’s remaining explosive ordnance contamination that is known so far, and the contamination that is likely to be discovered in the areas that remains inaccessible for humanitarian Mine Action.
There is urgency to clear Sudanese land from all explosive hazards, otherwise, “many civilians cannot return home, men and women cannot work and children cannot play” warned Mr. Rashid.
As of April 2023, 2,572 men, women, girls, and boys have fallen victims to landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Sudan, noted Mr. Rashid, adding that eliminating this threat contributes to community recovery and enabling other lifesaving and sustaining activities.
For realizing the vision of Sudan free from landmines, mine action needs the continuation of support from Sudan’s national and sub-national leaderships, the donors, the community elders and many other stakeholders and institutions, said the representative of the Head of UNITAMS at the Mine Awareness event, stressing that “UNITAMS stands ready to continue to support efforts for a Sudan free from explosive.”
Sudan has come a long way during the last two decades – the number of hazardous areas has been reduced from over 5,000 to 400. The known contamination has also been reduced to 33.9 sq km from 170.9 sq km. Millions of explosive ordnances have been removed, securing these areas for many affected communities.
By April 2027 Sudan must be free of mines to achieve the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention compliance obligations. Sudan cannot afford to have communities constrained and land blocked due to explosive hazards for generations.