The Japanese government has contributed one million US dollars to the United Nations Mine Action in South Sudan to enhance the Humanitarian Mine Action Program in the country. UNMAS officials say the donation will help their operations in the clearance of land and delivery of Mine risk education.
Japan’s deputy chief of mission in South Sudan Shigeru Hamano, says the donation is part of the contribution of 34 million dollars assistance package to the country. He says they would like to see communities across the country go back to their land and engage in livelihood activities such as agriculture.
‘Most South Sudanese are farmers engaging in agriculture. But the presence of those explosive remnants of war on the ground, is a big threat to their safety and a serious stumbling block to agricultural development. That is why we decided to give a helping hand to South Sudanese in that direction through UNMAS’ he explains.
Over the past six years, Japan has contributed over US $14 million to mine action operations in South Sudan, enabling the clearance of over three thousand square metres of land, the removal of over twenty thousand explosives and the delivery of Mine Risk Education to over one hundred and forty thousand people, including 91,144 children.
An estimated 6.3 million people in South Sudan – which is half the population – now live in counties where their safety is threatened by the presence of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
The Japanese diplomat believes the ongoing conflict has created a humanitarian gap which needs to be assisted.
‘The humanitarian crises is ongoing, it is being aggravated. Although the government [of South Sudan] is trying to stop hostilities with the cooperation of the International organizations and partners, but, the situation is still dire’, Hamano adds.
Richard Boulter an officer with UNMAS in Juba appreciated the donation by the Japanese government adding it will help them clear more lands and continue with risk education for communities across South Sudan.
He says continued use of explosive weapons, such as rockets, grenades and mortars, has hindered the safe movement of the civilian population as well as the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country.
‘Ordinances is a problem. It stops them from farming, it hinders people gathering fire wood, and it stops the kids going to school. It hinders aid agencies delivering assistance.’ he strsses
The UNMAS mine action service in Juba says for the last eleven months they have recorded 62 incidences across the country. They include 56 injury – 12 of the victims are female and 44 male. They also recorded six cases of deaths 4 male and 2 female.
Boulter says even though there is conflict going on in the country but they have not come across any evidence of new mines being laid by both parties. He admits that other explosive ordinances remain a challenge for communities and aid agencies in carrying out their job.
‘They want to feed people, they want to help people and they want to educate them but there are obstacles. One of the obstacles is the legacy of the past and the ongoing conflict. All these agencies have a duty of care to their staff and to the people they are trying to assist and there is a requirement to make sure that where people are planning their activities they are doing it on safe ground rather than dangerous area’ Boulter says
Both Hamano and Boulter urged the warring parties in South Sudan to stop fighting so peace and stability can be realized to pave way for other development projects.