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An
RRP EOD technician excavates
a bunker.
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Khartoum
July 28 2007 - The true extent
of the problems related to landmines
and Explosives Remnants of War (ERW)
remains unknown in Sudan. A country-wide
survey has been initiated to measure
both the scope and impact of the problem.
It is believed that Africa’s
longest civil war has left up to 21
of the 26 states affected by landmines
that threatens the daily-life of civilians,
impedes the country’s economic
recovery and development, and delays
the safe return of internally displaced
persons and refugees to their hometowns.
Blessed with some of the best arable
land in the region, Nuba Mountains
was once considered the bread basket
of Sudan. But landmines have often
rendered this land inaccessible and
uncultivable. People in Kadugli locality,
in South Korofan state, have endured
the worst of the civil war and are
still at risk of mines and UXOs. Great
numbers of displaced persons and entire
communities returning to the region
also face the same risk as they walk
into the Nuba Mountains, searching
for clean water, and travel long distances
on foot to reach schools and health
clinics.
Since the signing of the Comprehensive
Peace Agreement (CPA) on 9 January
2005, the long and arduous road to
recovery commenced with ridding the
country of land-mines laid over a
long period of time. The de-mining
activities are carried out through
the Danish Church Aid (DCA), the European
Commission funded, and UNDP managed
Recovery and Rehabilitation Programmeme
(RRP) in South Kordofan.
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Excavated
remnants of war. |
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A UXO is
set for demolition using an
SM charge. |
Between
May and July 2007 the RRP run an intensive
de-mining campaign that enabled it
to destroy a total of 20,160 small
arms, 227 fuses, 14 propellants, 4
rocket propelled grenades, twenty-three
82mm mortars, twenty-two 60mm mortars,
and one 76mm projectile. At the Kadugli
and Dilling way stations, the RRP
conducted safety briefings and MRE
presentations benefiting 10,053 Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The RRP also conducted mine awareness
sessions in El-efien, Daldako, Al
rosir and Karkaraya schools benefiting
1045 children and teachers. Direct
awareness sessions in Tabanja, Buram
and Kadugli benefited 574 including
children. The RRP also distributed
2,044 Information Education and Communication
materials (leaflets) with MRE messages
in all the areas of their tasks.
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The RRP
gives and MRE presentation
to IDPs in Kadugli. |
The RRP
consortium in South Kordofan is managed
by UNDP, executed by Save the Children
US in partnership with International
Partners Danish Church Aid (DCA) ;
National Partners Diocese of El Obeid
(DOE) ; and Nuba Relief, Rehabilitation
Development Organization (NRRDO).
Since
2006, the through the 54 Million Euro
Recovery and Rehabilitation Programmeme
has managed to bring together 10 consortia
of NGos made up of some 50 national
and international NGOs implementing
a range of recovery and rehabilitation
projects in Blue Nile, Red Sea, River
Nile, South Kordofan, Northern Upper
Nile, Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria,
Warrap, Northern Bahr El Ghazal states,
and Abyei Area. The 10 consortia of
NGOs are implementing activities such
as building schools, healthcare centers,
water networks, vocational training,
farming and agriculture, and extensive
training and capacity building Programmes.
For more
information on the RRP, please contact:
Jami Schievelbein
Information Liaison Officer
Jami.schievelbein@undp.org
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