Khartoum – Italy is pledging a contribution of €250,000 for United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Sudan. The donation will support the UN agency in beginning an important project aimed at reducing casualties among Sudanese and humanitarian workers in the State of Kassala. UNMAS will analyze, reclame and destroy mines and other explosives in the territory, but the agency will also undertake a series of initiatives to raise awareness on the risk posed by mines among the local population. In expressing his appreciation for the generous contribution, Dr. Habibulhaq Javed, UNMAS Programme Manager in Sudan, explained how the funds will be used: “Thanks to this contribution, UNMAS will reclaim 900,000 square meters of land in the province of Talkok, in the state of Kassala, and we will be able to reach 5,000 people of the affected area via sensitization activities.” The contribution will also help to strengthen the Sudanese National Mine Action Center’s (NMAC) to reach higher quality standards in planning interventions, thereby increasing national ownership. (9Colonne)
