Latest news with #NationalMineActionAuthority
Zawya
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Mine Awareness Day: Demining goal within reach but fears of conflict reversing progress
The decades of brutal civil war that ravaged South Sudan left behind a terrible legacy of land littered by landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnances. Since 2004, more than 5,000 people have been killed by explosions from these devices. However, significant strides have been made to tackle this deadly threat, with the United Nations Mine Action Service in South Sudan (UNMAS) destroying more than 1.2 million unexploded ordnances, releasing over 1,300 square kilometers of land, and clearing more than 4,000 kilometers of roads in the past two decades. While this achievement was commemorated when South Sudan marked International Mine Awareness Day, recent political tensions and escalating conflict made several speakers caution the country's leaders against undoing the progress made. 'Let's learn how to stay safe and how to be reasonable about our future, because if we don't stay safe, the future is not predictable,' said Agot Alier, a UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Young Reporter. While he may have been primarily addressing fellow children, nobody could misunderstand his message: Do the right thing today to make our shared tomorrow better. For that to happen, Zehrudin Sukanovic, Chief of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan, an integral part of the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, pledged to continue to live by the motto 'challenge the challenges' which has served the demining sector well. 'We remained resilient and unified and kept working together towards a shared vision of peace, safety, and stability,' Mr. Sukanovic said, referring to how UNMAS, the National Mine Action Authority and other stakeholders confronted the setbacks caused by the civil wars in 2013 and 2016. Through a collective effort, these partners have cleared 15,000 agricultural areas, 344 schools, 316 water points and 437 health clinics, making it possible for communities across the country to resume farming and trade, and for thousands of girls and boys to safely attend school. 'The goal is within reach. South Sudan is committed to its international obligations and other treaties to declare our country mine-free by 2030,' affirmed Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch, Chairperson of the National Mine Action Authority. With 'just' 22 square kilometers of land known to be contaminated by mines and other explosives left to be cleared, the task may seem easier than it actually is, with current insecurity and financial issues clouding the horizon. ''Safe futures start here' is more than a slogan – it's a call to action. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that mine action remains a priority. Each mine cleared and each piece of land made safe is a step toward peace,' said Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian/Resident Coordinator, who also stressed the need for sustained funding and political commitment to the cause. With the activities of both peacekeepers and humanitarian actors often depending on the removal of explosive remnants of war, there are multiple reasons to share the sentiments expressed by UNMAS chief, Zehruddin Sukanovic. 'I sincerely hope that 2025 will represent a solid step forward rather than yet another obstacle in our ongoing journey to secure a safer space and future for the people of South Sudan.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Defense Ministry building testing ground for new AI-powered demining tech
The Defense Ministry is initiating the creation of a trial site to test new technologies used in demining, including those involving artificial intelligence, according to a statement published Feb. 11. Over 139,300 square kilometers of Ukrainian land are potentially contaminated with explosives from the full-scale war, with clearance efforts expected to take over a decade and cost $35 billion, according to the Economy Ministry. The project aims to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian demining, test innovations, and share experiences between Ukrainian and international partners, the Defense Ministry's statement read. "The training ground, which is at the disposal of the Defense Ministry, can become a unique platform for joint research, testing, and training," Olha Drobot, representative of the Secretariat of the National Mine Action Authority, said. The latest technologies and their development can significantly accelerate the process of non-technical surveys of territories, improve the safety of deminers, and reduce risks to the civilian population, Drobot added. During the meeting, the participants also discussed new approaches to analyzing satellite and aerial imagery for mapping mined areas, using neural networks to automatically recognize minefields, and integrating modern artificial intelligence algorithms into safe demining. Ukraine remains the most mined country in the world. Over the past two years, Defense Ministry specialists have cleared 30,000 square kilometers of mines — an area comparable to the size of Belgium or Moldova. Some 399 civilians have been killed, and 915 have been injured by mines since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to U.N. monitors. Multiple countries have been assisting Ukraine with demining efforts and providing training and equipment. Read also: Ukraine's army is reforming its structure. Will it help the fight against Russia? We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
