JUBA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan, in partnership with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), on Thursday vowed to work together to achieve the target of clearing explosive ordnance by 2030, despite ongoing conflict and funding challenges.
Albino Akol Atak Mayom, minister of humanitarian affairs and disaster management, said that explosive ordnance continues to pose serious risks to the most vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children, returnees, internally displaced persons, refugees, and host communities in the country.
"In South Sudan, the legacy of decades of conflict continues to manifest in the form of explosive ordnance. Despite significant progress made by the mine action authority and its partners, over 22,000,000 square meters of land remains affected, which requires continued efforts to clear," Akol said during celebrations marking the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
Zehrudin Sukanovic, chief of Mine Action Program in South Sudan, said that the risks posed by explosive ordnance persist and called for sustained collective efforts to address them.
He added that humanitarian projects have often been constrained due to the presence of explosive ordnance, stressing that mine action remains an essential component of broader efforts to protect civilians, support returnees, and enable recovery in the country.
However, Sukanovic said the mine action sector continues to be hampered by funding shortfalls, which have curtailed operational capacity and the ability to assist those in need.
Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch, chairperson of South Sudan's National Mine Action Authority, noted that with support from partners, tangible progress has been made in clearing explosive ordnance across parts of the country.
"In our country, mine action is not only about clearing land, but also about protecting civilians, supporting peacekeeping mobility, enabling humanitarian operations, and creating safe conditions for returnees' recovery and socio-economic growth," he said.
Jurkuch said their partnership with UN agencies and civil society has helped transform contaminated land into safe grounds for schools, farms, roads, and homes, thus restoring hope for the people.
According to UNMAS, over 1,300 square km of land and 4,000 km of roads have been cleared of explosive ordnance. ■
