UNMAS detonates mines and unexploded remnants of war

26 Mar 2015

UNMAS detonates mines and unexploded remnants of war

24 March 2015 - United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS) on Tuesday detonated mines and unexploded remnants of war in Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria State.

Toby Lanzer, United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator, witnessed the operation and said the event marked an early start of the annual celebration of the International Mine Action Day (4 April), this year with the theme “More than Mines”.

“I have come to Ayii in Magwi County to see the work of UNMAS and some of its key partners who have been working on behalf of the local community to clear mines and identify areas where children are at risk”.

Toby Lanzer said that the detonation of mines and unexploded remnants of war would reduce the risks facing the community. He expressed his appreciation of the almost five months of work conducted in the area.

“Mines and unexploded remnants of war are terrible threats. They put people at great risk. I think the work of UN and its partners is useful in protecting people and making sure that they can carry out their farming activities in a safe way”.

Toko Godfrey, one of the deminers working in the area, also emphasized the importance of the work being done, and praised the community for sharing vital information with them.

“Since November 2014 the team, aided by information from the members of the community, has cleared and destroyed 85 anti-personnel mines, 111 anti-tank mines and 273 unexploded remnants of war”.

Toko Godfrey added that the demining activities have reduced the hazardous area from 2.2 million square meters of fertile land to about a third of that original area.

Apart from safely detonating mines and unexploded remnants of war, on the day, UNMAS also conducted a mine awareness session in the main primary school of Ayii and continues daily with mine risk education in the surrounding villages.

By Otto Robert