A high-level delegation visits Eastern Equatoria, a contaminated place with cluster munitions, to see how humanitarian mine action can prevent physical harm to civilians, improve access to basic services and help people rebuild their lives.
The delegation was led by the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan, Seiji Okada and the Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA, Shinya Tomonari.
In a statement to CRN, the high-level delegation witnessed the clearing and disposal of cluster munitions by UNMAS mine action teams in Amee, Magwi.
During the civil war, Amee experienced fighting and aerial bombardment which left large tracts of land littered with cluster munitions, where most people abandoned and fled the area.
The team met with local authorities and members of the community who benefit from the work.
‘Mine clearance is crucial for the on-going nation building in South Sudan as it provides safe land for returnees to resettle and cultivate. As this country is struggling for peace and stability, Japan has been supporting South Sudan with mine action activities since 2011 and will continue to support it along with Japan’s other assistance with the peace process, humanitarian activities and development’, said Ambassador Okada.
Other members of the delegation include the Special Representative of the Secretary-General or SRSG and Head of UNMISS, David Shearer, Governor of Torit State, Tobiolo Alberio Oromo, Chairperson of South Sudan’s National Mine Action Authority, [NMAA] or Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch and Programme Manager of UNMAS, Richard Boulter.