MAG departs Sudan after six years of work to remove remnants of conflict
MAG was one of seven organisations working in the Eastern States of Sudan that was asked to close its operations in June 2012 by the Humanitarian Aid Commission.
Following months of negotiations between government authorities, MAG, and MAG’s primary donors, a decision was taken in January 2013 that continuation of MAG’s activities in Sudan is no longer possible and therefore that MAG is to withdraw from the country. A strong programme will still be maintained by MAG in South Sudan.
MAG began work in Sudan (north) in 2007, conducting a Landmine Impact Survey to assess the social and economic impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance on communities in Blue Nile and Kassala States.
Since 2009, MAG has removed 44,501 explosive items from 8,648,263m² of land, for the benefit of 396,260 people. MAG has made great progress in the training of civilian and National Demining Unit humanitarian mine action teams.
We deeply regret having to leave Sudan at a time when the need for humanitarian mine action is still so high, but we are proud of the contribution the organisation has made to supporting Sudanese communities affected by mines and unexploded ordnance. MAG thanks all those who have worked alongside us over the past six years in the country.
Some highlights of MAG's work in Sudan
Demined area handed over to community in Kassala state
A
demined area of land around the town of Demen in Kassala state can now
be used for safe access to education, water and agriculture.
Staff profile: Helping women in Sudan
Fawzia
Mahmoud Saeed is driven by a desire to help those most at risk from
landmines and unexploded ordnance – and to contribute to a better future
for women and children in eastern Sudan.
Returnees hope for a life of peace and security
MAG
has been giving Mine Risk Education at Kosti way station in North
Sudan, where thousands of returnees are waiting to board barges to take
them to the South ahead of independence on 9 July 2011.
Protecting children in Kassala
What
happens when pupils carry a live grenade they’ve found on their way to
school into the classroom? Or when their classroom is on the other side
of a minefield?
Huge weapons stockpile destroyed in Kassala
MAG
safely destroyed more than 800 items of unexploded ordnance and 13,000
live ammunition rounds found in Kibrit, where one spark could have
triggered an explosion big enough to destroy half the village.
Page published: 7 March 2013
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