13 March 2015 - Following up on a pledge made at the High-Level Event on the Humanitarian Crisis in South Sudan in Nairobi on 9 February, Japan today confirmed a contribution of US $2.5 million for the mine action in the country.

According to a join press release issued by the Embassy of Japan and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the funding will go towards a project, “Creation of quick response capacity and provision of support to the Japanese Engineering Contingent”.

“The new contribution and support from the people of Japan will enable UNMAS to establish Quick Response Teams and Explosive Detection Dog teams,” said the press release. “They will conduct activities to provide an explosive-free safe environment to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.”

The Quick Response Teams will conduct emergency response to reports of explosive items, conduct surveys and clearance of explosive remnants of war, and provide risk education to people at risk, the statement said.

It added that the Explosive Detection Dog Teams will provide explosive and/or weapons search capacity at entrances to and inside such facilities as UN camps, Protection of Civilians sites and other relevant places.

The teams would also support the infrastructure construction and rehabilitation activities of the Japanese Engineering Contingent in UNMISS, the statement said.

The Japanese Ambassador South Sudan, Mr. Takeshi Akamatsu stressed that as the chair of the Mine Action Support Group since 2014, his country had strongly committed to make every effort to support mine action activities globally.

He noted that Japan was concerned about the threat caused by explosive remnants of war in South Sudan, which are threatening lives and hampering the ability of aid agencies to deliver services to vulnerable people and promote the socio-economic development.

“We hope that the support from the Japanese people will contribute to creating a safe and secure environment free from the threat of explosives for people in South Sudan,” he said.

He reiterated Japan’s support for UNMAS in continuing their work and leadership in the international community to help create an explosive-free environment.

Lance Malin, UNMAS Programme Manager, stressed the importance of the support from Japan and appreciation of Japan’s support for the UN agency’s clearance efforts in South Sudan.

“We admire Japan's strong initiative and moral support for global mine action activities,” said Mr. Malin. “This funding will be used to clear dangerous areas throughout the country including those from the current crisis, to create a safe environment for the South Sudanese people and humanitarian aid workers.”

He added that UNMAS would continue to work closely with the UNMISS Japanese Engineering Contingent in supporting their operations.

According to the press release, during the last three years, Japan’s contribution to mine action operations in South Sudan has exceeded US $10 million.