On 16 August, 21 NMAC and national mine action NGO personnel successfully completed mine action leadership trainings thanks to generous support from Japan. The completion ceremony was attended by H.E. Ambassador of Japan Embassy, Shinji Urabayashi. The training was conducted between July 29th and August 16th, aimed to foster national capacity in demining operation through developing theoretical and practical skills, and measuring the ability of leading demining teams. The training strengthened the national capacities in operational and quality assurance, and project management that would further accelerate mine action in the Southern states of Sudan.
UNMAS, to date, has cleared a total of 112,368,730 sqm of lands in Sudan. The achievement includes announcing Red Sea, Gedaref, and Kassal states free of known landmines. South Kordofan and Blue Nile states of Sudan still remain severely contaminated by landmines and ERW due to ongoing insecurities, posing direct threats to local population.