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MAG began its work in Sudan in 1998, and has been removing landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and small arms and light weapons (SALW) since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2004. Sudan's 22-year civil war has resulted in widespread contamination which continues to threaten people's lives and impede the country's recovery from conflict. To address this threat, MAG deploys highly-trained Sudanese teams to conduct operations.
MAG's Sudan program consists of the following activities:
- Community Liaison teams gather information from communities to identify mines, UXO, and SALW.
- Manual and mechanical clearance teams remove landmines and provide safe access to basic necessities such as water, roads for travel, and land for cultivation.
- Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams remove and destroy dangerous items that are reported by community members and local authorities.
- Small Arms Light Weapons (SALW) destruction teams respond to unsecured stockpiles of weapons and UXO.
- Mine Risk Education (MRE) is provided to at-risk communities, particularly returning refugee populations that are unaware of the threat within or around their village of return.
MAG's work in Sudan not only reduces the risk to communities that are threatened by the presence of mines, UXO, and SALW, but supports the country's overall recovery from conflict. By destroying weapons and munitions that could otherwise be used to fuel further conflict, MAG improves human security and the prospect of peace within the region. MAG also partners with development agencies and international organizations to ensure that activities are integrated into the broader humanitarian relief and development operations in Sudan.
"I am removing it for safety, so that the children may not come and play with it."
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When Joseph Morbe appeared at the campsite where MAG Community Liaison and Small Arms Light Weapons teams were camping, MAG staff had no idea he was carrying UXO. Morbe had found an item of unexploded ordnance near his garage, and brought the item to MAG in person. When asked why he had moved the item himself, he said that "I am removing it for safety, so that the children may not come and play with it". His actions, while brave, illustrated the need for MRE in the area. By advising locals on best practices for avoiding dangerous items, MAG is able to effectively clear the land while keeping communities safe. |