"I am a man of dreams, and I now have an opportunity to do my best to see some of them come true." So said James Lokuda, local school principal attending the handover ceremony of land cleared by MAG surrounding Kapoeta in South Sudan.
April 19th 2008, saw the handover of a further section of the barrier minefield that once surrounded the capital of Eastern Equatoria. Located approximately one kilometre east of the town centre, the importance of this 51,000 square metres is highlighted by the local residents who will benefit from the cleared land. Most importantly, James Lokuda's bordering school will be able to expand safely and develop new classrooms, a playing field, as well as a garden that will provide food for students and teachers alike.
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Mr Hillary Lokudo accepts the land on behalf of the local authority. |
Furthermore, with an increasing number of returnees, land will be available for housing and will provide the large neighbouring population with a safe route to the adjacent river.
Accepting a section of land from MAG for the second time, Mr Hillary Lokudo, Executive Director of Kapoeta South County said, "I look forward to accepting the remaining cleared land in the near future. Thank you MAG. We will work to support your operations, and use the land for the good of the community."
As considerable numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) continue to return, landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) restrict safe movement and access to valuable resources such as food, water, land and health services. Refugees and IDPs are particularly vulnerable, as they often return to dangerous areas unaware of the threat.
Kapoeta experienced high levels of conflict during the civil war. TThe strategic importance of the town resulted in a minefield believed to have been laid around its northern, eastern and southern borders during the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) occupation to defend against the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). This barrier minefield, an area of approximately 250,000 sq/m, continues to severely restrict development and the movement of people and resources.
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Children from the nearby school come to watch the ceremony. |
MAG has been active in Kapoeta since 2006, working to clear the barrier minefield in order to open centrally located land that local authorities can use for residential and commercial purposes for the returning population.
With support from local authorities and with special guests from MAG's national partner, Operation Save Innocent Lives (OSIL) and the South Sudan Mine Action Authority (SSMAA), the handover ceremony gave local residents the opportunity to see the cleared land for themselves as well as sharing in the celebrations. Colonel Dutt, Director of Operations for SSMAA said, "It is an honour to be invited to this ceremony, and to witness, and learn from the work MAG is doing in Eastern Equatoria."
The clearance of Kapoeta continues and, step by step, the town grows safer as the residents become more aware of potential dangers, and the community has an environment in which to develop and prosper.
Links:
» More on MAG's work in Sudan
» Three Sudanese staff reach IMAS landmark
25 April 08
MAG’s work in Sudan is currently funded and supported by: Government of Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT); Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department, ECHO; EuropeAid; Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, US Department of State; Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State; the United Nations
