The United Kingdom has committed $2.65 million through its leading Global Mine Action Programme to support Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in their efforts to clear land for resettlement and agriculture in South Sudan.
The persistent threat of mines, remnants of bombs, and cluster munitions has become a major hindrance to South Sudan’s reconstruction endeavors, leading to approximately 1,400 reported fatalities and over 3,800 injuries since 2004.
Presently, an estimated 16.8km² of land in South Sudan remains contaminated, posing risks to lives, restricting movement, impeding access to fertile land, and perpetuating fear and insecurity long after the cessation of conflict.
With the financial support from the United Kingdom, MAG will focus on minefield clearance, battle area clearance, and risk education, particularly along the Juba-Nimule highway to enhance trade and movement between the two regions.
Furthermore, the UK funding will contribute to capacity building initiatives for the National Mine Action Authority (NMAA) in South Sudan. This involves secondments of NMAA staff to MAG demining teams and advanced international training in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
Since April 2022, MAG’s UK-funded demining team has successfully cleared over 215,000m² of land in Magwi county, Eastern Equatoria State. This involved the removal of 400 sub-munitions and completion of 24 EOD spot tasks based on community reports.
In 2023, MAG achieved the clearance of over 2.2m² of contaminated land, destroying 1,200 landmines and unexploded bombs. Additionally, they provided 2,495 Explosive Ordnance Risk Education sessions benefiting more than 46,000 individuals.