DFID Sudan leading the charge on mine action in South Kordofan
The devastating effect of landmines was brought home after my return from South Kordofan. News came through that a young child had tragically been killed not far from where I had been visiting, just outside Kadugli. The importance of deploying DFID resources to clear explosives in South Kordofan and Blue Nile suddenly seemed even more urgent.
Following DFID Secretary of State’s recent announcement that the UK will triple support for mine action globally — we visited South Kordofan State to hear from communities, state government and other stakeholders about the effects of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
South Kordofan is the most mine contaminated state in Sudan due to decades of armed conflict. During my visit to the state I heard from the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and National Mine Action Centre that there are at least 121 minefields in the state covering 24 million square metres.
The UN told us that years of conflict have also created large numbers of internally displaced people, as well as refugees from South Sudan, who are particularly vulnerable to the horrific legacy of landmines as they flee conflict across contaminated terrain. Thousands of people have been killed or seriously injured as a result. Lack of access to their fields has also reduced food production, and as a result people in the area suffer food and water shortages, malnutrition and a greater risk of disease outbreaks, as well as not being able to send their children to nearby schools.
We visited a minefield near Lufo Gharib and heard from a community leader, Haroon, about how his village had been forced to relocate, losing vital grazing and agricultural land due to high contamination of landmines. “I used to live in the valley before 2011. We grazed our animals. When armed groups left, the area was left scattered with mines and hand grenades and we had to move the village. Now that it is starting to be cleared we are going to move back”.
Clearing mines is only part of the task ahead. We met pupils at a school in Kadugli who were being taught about how to avoid dangerous explosives. To reduce the risk presented by mines, DFID will consider how to support education to reduce the risk of injury and help children live free of landmines and fulfill their potential.
As land is released, it is going to be critical to team up with humanitarian actors and other organizations to reach conflict-affected communities with immediate aid. We will then provide support to communities to return to their land and start rebuilding their lives. Mine clearance will let DFID and its partners improve access to services, including health and education, strengthening livelihoods and building the local economy. Demining will help people who have been displaced return to their homes, safe in the knowledge they will be free from landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Ben Fisher, DFID Sudan Conflict Advisor
