Targeted mine risk education (MRE) at the Kapoeta UNHCR Way Station is directly supporting the long-term peace and stability of the Eastern Equatoria region, enabling the safe travel, return and resettlement of refugees.
”I am looking forward to returning to my home after many years as a refugee. I now feel safe to return, with the knowledge that MAG has given me, and I know how to minimise these risks and dangers.”
 |
|
Angelina Taen with the 'Talk Before You Walk' MRE material she planned to use once back in her home town to sensitise others about the dangers of mines/UXO (unexploded ordnance). |
The Safe Return Pack Angelina Taen received as part of MAG’s Mine Risk Education (MRE) at the Kapoeta UNHCR Way Station will, she said, not only assist her return to the heavily war-affected town of Torit, but also help to raise awareness once back.
Angelina left her home town in early 2000, having seen friends and family members killed and injured by landmines and UXO (unexploded ordnance).
The reasons for such incidents were two-fold, she said: people not being aware of the risks and dangers, and curiosity, people picking up mines/UXO despite knowing they were dangerous.
She headed to Kakuma Refugee Camp in northern Kenya, established over 20 years ago to provide health and educational services to residents – who during the height of the conflict numbered 90,000.
Now, following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the government of southern Sudan is promoting safe return for Sudanese refugees.
Crucial to this is the service provided by MAG's Community Liaison (CL) team at the Kapoeta UNHCR Way Station, which opened in late 2006 in order to assist and process returnees travelling through Eastern Equatoria.
 |
|
MAG's Community Liaison team plays a key role in assisting returnees travelling through Eastern Equatoria on their way back to their place of origin. |
The Safe Return Pack it provides consists of a booklet of laminated A4 photos of different types of explosive items, mines and UXO in various settings, with key messages in English and Arabic on each page, plus a laminated poster and stickers.
Angelina attended a number of MRE sessions in Kakuma Refugee Camp, organised by Handicap International, saying it raised her awareness and knowledge of mines.
MAG's MRE session at Kapoeta was, however, “very different to previous MRE I have received. It focused not only on mines, but on UXO as well. I learnt a lot of new things about UXO during this session”.
The numbers of planned repatriations through the Kapoeta Way Station are continuing to increase. As confidence grows in the CPA, more people are registering to return to their place of origin. The activities being completed by the CL team and by MAG's technical assets in Eastern Equatoria are directly supporting the long-term peace and stability of the region.
Back to top
