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Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan announced through its official Facebook page that it hosted a delegation from the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including officials from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Netherlands in South Sudan, on a field visit to one of its mine clearance sites.
The visit aimed to observe ongoing mine and explosive ordnance clearance operations and to highlight the positive impact of these efforts in restoring land for safe use, improving livelihoods, and protecting communities from the dangers posed by explosive remnants of war.
Speaking during the visit, Zehrudin Sukanovic, Chief of the Mine Action Programme in South Sudan, said that mine action activities are a fundamental pillar for achieving peace, recovery, and sustainable development. He noted that clearing contaminated land enables governments to deliver essential services, facilitates humanitarian access to communities in need, and allows families to return to farming and rebuild their lives safely.
He added that UNMAS is preparing to mark the 30th anniversary of both the organization and the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in 2027, emphasizing that while significant progress has been made over the years, continued efforts remain necessary, including providing support to victims of explosive ordnance through victim assistance programs.
According to the statement, the visit also served as an opportunity to strengthen coordination among partners and reaffirm the importance of sustained investment in mine action, which plays a vital role in enabling humanitarian access, supporting development initiatives, and contributing to long-term peace and stability in South Sudan.
For her part, Faye Price, Policy Officer for Humanitarian Mine Action at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, expressed appreciation for the work being carried out in the sector. She said that visiting the mine clearance site and engaging directly with field teams and local communities provided a deeper understanding of the tangible impact of mine action in saving lives and supporting the recovery of affected communities.
At the conclusion of the visit, UNMAS renewed its gratitude to the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its continued partnership and support for mine action programs in South Sudan, emphasizing the importance of such assistance in enhancing human security and advancing peace and development across the country.
