Over 1.3 million explosive items destroyed, land cleared from mines.

Over 1,300 square kilometers of land, 4,000 kilometers of roads have been cleared and regarded safe by Mine Action in South Sudan within the past two decades. UN Mine Action Service said over 5,000 people have been killed or injured by unexploded ordnances and land mines since 2004 endangering lives, hindering access to essential service provision and affecting food security.

Mine Action organisations have released large areas of land, making them safe for various uses, including 15,000 agricultural areas for farmers to cultivate their lands, 344 schools, 316 water points have been cleared for community to access clean water, 437 health clinics allowing healthcare providers to deliver essential services without the threat posed by mines and unexploded ordinance.

“In the process, mine action operators have destroyed over 1.2 million explosive items that posed a threat to civilians. In addition, explosive ordnance risk education has been provided to more than 7 million people,” said the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).

Every year, South Sudan celebrate mine action day to ensure the safety of people particularly children, protection of the environment to enable safe travelling, studying, working and living.  

Under the theme, “Safe Futures Start Here,” this year’s campaign calls for sustained collaboration to ensure a mine-free South Sudan as the country commemorate 20 years of the International Mine Awareness Day and Assistance in Mine Action highlighting the efforts of mine action to protect civilians, support peace and stability, restore livelihood and promote development.

Every year, the International Day for Mine Awareness together all partners to highlight the importance of mine action in protecting communities across South Sudan from the threat of dangerous explosive ordnances.