DDG Mine Action established a mine action programme in Southern Sudan in the spring of 2006, with a headquarters in the capital, Juba and field operations in Central Equatoria. After completing work in Kajo Keji and Yei the field teams relocated to Magwi county, Eastern Equatoria in November 2007.
The overall objective of the programme is to support and facilitate the repatriation process of refugees to Southern Sudan. DDG has supported and facilitated the repatriation process of refugees to Southern Sudan with information on safe corridors and relocation sites and areas, by implementing surveys, Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) in identified high priority areas. All tasking and prioritisation of work is coordinated through the United Nations Mine Action Authority (UNMAO) and South Sudan Demining Commission (SSDC) in.
Previous programme donors and partners have been: UNHCR, ECHO, ADA (Austrian Development Agency), GPSF (Canadian Global Peace and Security Fund), DFAT, Canada. During the latter part of 2008 additional donors were: UNMAS (VTF Fund) and UNDP/GPSF. In 2009: the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Humanitarian Aid Division a 4 year project (2008/11), SIDA a 2 year project (2008/10) and UNDP/GPSF.
History
For more than two decades the civil war between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) destabilised the area and caused the movement of refugees across the borders into neighbouring countries. Whilst the January 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) brought the conflict to an end, the negative effects lingered on as the country begins the challenging process of reconstruction.
In this process of reconstruction there is the challenge of removing the Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) made up of landmines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO).
Providing information concerning mine and UXO contamination is vital to the effective planning and implementation of mine action activities at both the national and local levels. DDG mine action activities support not only the repatriation process but the reconstruction of Southern Sudan in general.
Present situation
According to UNHCR, in 2008 over 67,000 refugees have returned to Southern Sudan out of an original estimate of 80,000. The repatriation process will be continued in 2009 with another estimated 54,000 refugees expected to return.
Whereas UNMAO and its implementing partners tend to focus their activities on strategic roads DDG adopts a more holistic approach within the communities to which the refugees and IDPs are expected to return. Based on UNHCR resettlement information DDG works to ensure areas of high priority are surveyed and provided with ERW spot clearance. Mine Risk Education (MRE) is also provided to returnees to further mitigate the risk. The survey information is circulated to all partners and stakeholders to promote a better understanding of the situation.
The actual level of mines and UXO contamination in Southern Sudan has been better illustrated through recent national Landmine Impact Survey (LIS). The survey points towards a higher level of UXO contamination than mines, especially in the areas of high return/high contamination areas of Eastern Equatoria.
The activities of mine action agencies such as DDG, concentrating on ERW and MRE will quickly reduce both the actual and perceived threats to levels that are deemed tolerable within local society.
We have also taken the initiative to provide capacity building and on the job experience to staff of SSDC and a national NGO, Sudan Integrated Mine Action Service (SIMAS). The goal being greater national ownership and responsibility of mine action activities.
For further information on South Sudan: www.unsudanig.org
