By Jacob Onuha Nelson
The Government of Japan, via the Japan International Cooperation Agency has donated 2.2 million United State dollars to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
Addressing the media on Wednesday under the theme “Improvement of the working Environment for Mine Action Agencies” in Juba, Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch, chairperson for the National Mine Action Authority, said the partnership with the donors had enabled to strengthen the capacity to oversee and provide operational support in terms of infrastructure in South Sudan.
“The partnership with the government and the people of Japan implemented through UNMAS has already enabled the National Mind Action Authority to strengthen the capacity to oversee and coordinate Mind Action Program, provide operational support, and make tangible improvement to our infrastructure,” Barach said.
Barach stated that in 2011, over 447.7 square Kilometres were contaminated and by today what left is 20.6 square Kilometres that had been remain in the country.
“They lay a foundation for a safer, more resilient South Sudan, where communities can recover and thrive free from the threat of mines and explosive remnants of war” he said.
“We know the challenges remain, and contamination continues to endanger lives and livelihoods. But with Japan’s renewed commitment and the support of our partners, National Mine Action Authority is determined to build on these achievements and expand the reach of mine action across the country,” Barach added.
Meanwhile, Zehrudin Sukanovic, chief of Mine action, United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) stated that the Japan significance through partnership had been achieved through various ongoing initiatives through supplementary budget.
“We have launched the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, just a couple of months ago, and we also launched the establishment of the Women in Mine Action Network. he said,
He further highlighted that the continued funding through JICA would strengthen national mine action technical mobility and functionality, supporting its contribution to the implementation of the South Sudan’s Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Article 5 extension request and the milestones.
On his part, Toshio Odagiri, Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan, emphasized that over past two decades South Sudan had been remarkable to addressing the issue of landmines, cluster munitions and unexploded ordnances.
“It is my pleasure and previllege to launch a new grant aid project in collaboration with UNMAS. Landmines in South Sudan not only cause direct harm to human lives but also hinders agricultural development, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, and the delivery of essential social services areas where JICA is actively engaged,” Ambassador noted.
Ambassador Odagiri underscored Japan remained unwavering with international partner in mine action efforts to address the challenges posed by the explosive remnants of war.
However, Amb. Sitona Abdalla, Director General of International Teaching cooperation Ministry of foreign Affairs, stated that South Sudan stands firm to build strong national capacity to sustainable management residents’ skills.
“The government of the Republic of South Sudan firmly believes that such support is essential to building a strong national capacity to sustainable management resident skills” she stated.
“This will positively impact communities affected by landmines, which continue to threaten civilian lives, obstruct humanitarian aid and development,” Amb. Sitona urged.
However, she added that due to operational and increasingly financial constraints, South Sudan is currently not on track to meet its 2026 completion deadline under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC).