2 December 2011 – With the laying of fresh mines in Unity State, the UNMISS demining body intensified its work on major routes there today to ease humanitarian service delivery.

Following clearance of the 90-kilometre Bentiu-Tharjat Road, the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre began the Bentiu-Mayom junction and Mayom town roads.

The Bentiu-Mayom town road had been closed to regular traffic due to mines since the November attack on Mayom by a rebel militia group, which caused acute food shortages, spiraling prices and difficulties with humanitarian service delivery.

UNMACC Bentiu Team Leader Chris Fielding said the 65-kilometre Bentiu-Mayom route would be cleared and declared open to regular traffic in days. "We are committed to remove mines once detected," he said, calling on residents to report mine planters.

Mr. Fielding said the Tor junction-Paryang-Pariang road, which had been demined earlier, had been ordered closed following the discovery of two anti-tank mines. "We called on the people of Unity to discourage mining of roads. This doesn't only take away lives but brings untold suffering to the people."