Juba, South Sudan, 5 May 2026 - UNMAS South Sudan Programme has launched a six-month emergency mine action intervention in Jonglei State, with support from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, to address the threat of explosive ordnance (EO) contamination.
Recent conflict has resulted in new EO contamination, civilian casualties from EO-related accidents, and constraints on humanitarian access. Displacement has further increased risks, exposing internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees, and host communities to both newly and previously contaminated areas. Children remain disproportionately affected and continue to account for the majority of EO victims in South Sudan. In 2026 to date, all related EO accident casualties have involved children.
Suspected contamination along key routes and infrastructure, including airstrips, continues to delay or prevent the delivery of life-saving assistance, including food, health, protection, and shelter services.
In response, UNMAS will deploy rapid emergency capacity focused on non-technical survey, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and targeted clearance. These efforts will prioritize critical infrastructure, such as roads, landing sites, and humanitarian distribution points for aid delivery, enabling humanitarian partners to safely reach affected populations.
The project also aims to deliver Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to nearly 20,000 people, with a strong focus on children and other groups at heightened risk, promoting safer behavior and reducing exposure to explosive hazards. By restoring safe access and reducing immediate threats, the intervention will support humanitarian response efforts, contribute to stabilization, and enable progress toward early recovery.
The project runs from 1 April to 30 September 2026 and is fully funded by the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund.
For further information:
In South Sudan: Mr. Zehrudin Sukanovic, Chief of Mine Action Programme, UNMAS South Sudan, sukanovic@un.org
In New York: Ms. Maria Vardis, Chief Donor Relations, UNMAS New York, vardis@un.org
