The demining programme in Sudan can be brought to a halt next month if donors do not inject fresh money into the UN Mine Action agency.
Evans Omari, senior programme officer for the UN Mine Action Office in Sudan, told IRIN that the project to clear mines in Malakal and Kasala will stop operations in July if the agency does not get additional money.Mr. Omari added that the agency urgently needs 12 million US dollars to keep up with demining work.
He explained that if the demining programme is stopped the return of internally displaced people has to stop too.
Mr. Omari underlined the case of Malakal where there is a constant flow of returnees, and many are coming back to live or farm in minefields.
He added that last month, four people died and others got serious injuries from landmine explosions.