SUDAN: MAG clears huge weapons stockpile in Kassala

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• More than 800 items of unexploded ordnance and 13,000 live ammunition rounds found • Multi-Task Team act quickly, as one spark could have triggered an explosion big enough to destroy half the village Kassala State remains the most contaminated state in North Sudan, with 48 Dangerous Areas, six minefields and 38 Suspected Hazardous Areas contaminating more than 20,000,000 square metres of land. These hazards pose a direct threat to residents, as well as development agencies who are unable to access many areas due to the threats posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). Under the force of the searing 45°c midday sun, the ECHO-funded Multi-Task Team crossed scorched sands to Kibrit last month, to respond to one of the largest hazards ever discovered in the area. Kibrit saw heavy fighting from 1998 to 2005, the legacy of which are the landmines and UXO, including cluster munitions, scattered over vast swathes of agricultural and grazing land.  Before the conflict devastated their lives, the village’s 300 families survived by growing sorghum, rearing camels, goats and sheep, and burning charcoal. Kibrit lies on an important trade route between Eritrea and Kassala, allowing people to trade their goods with passing merchants, bringing steady income to the region and a regular supply of basic foods such as rice and vegetables. “Since the contamination of our land the people here have been unable to access large areas, and the trade route vital to our survival has seen a significant reduction in traffic,” Kibrit’s sub-military commander Mohammed Ahmed told MAG. Staff from international humanitarian organisations GOAL and Samaritan’s Purse also visit the area twice every month to monitor their water holes, each time placing themselves at significant risk of death or injury from the many unknown hazards. The Multi-Task Team arrived in Kibrit in early-March to begin the survey of safe access routes to and from the village. When speaking with soldiers from the neighbouring village of Omli, the team was informed that a Southern People’s Liberation Army camp used to exist on the edge of Kibrit, and that many of their weapons were left behind when they departed the area. Upon closer inspection and through liaison with the local community leaders, MAG’s Community Liaison staff discovered what appeared to be a lone mortar round in the sand, just three metres from the village well, ten metres from the local mosque and 12 metres from the nearest houses. The hazard was immediately reported to GOAL and Samaritan’s Purse staff who were working close by. The clearance team was then called and were shocked when, upon further excavation, they discovered a large weapons stockpile beneath: the cache contained 834 items of UXO, including 368 mortar rounds and 130 Rocket Propelled Grenades, and 13,000 live rounds of Small Arms Ammunition. With one unstable item or a nearby spark easily able to trigger an explosion large enough to destroy half of the village, the team had to act quickly to remove the items safely, destroying them through seven controlled demolitions. “MAG is delighted to have made Kibrit a safer place not only for the community, but also for GOAL and Samaritan’s Purse staff,” said MAG Sudan Country Programme Kelly McAulay, “Removing this threat to life and limb helps these humanitarian workers to access Kibrit safely to deliver their vital services.” Before leaving the village the ECHO-funded Community Liaison Officers delivered a Mine Risk Education session to the community and to the soldiers stationed there, enabling them to practice safer behaviours and better recognise other hazards they might encounter in the future.  “We are grateful for the great service given to us by MAG,” said Mohammed Ahmed, sub-commander of Kibrit military camp. “Kibrit suffered greatly during the war and we continue to suffer today. The more dangers that can be cleared by MAG, the more help will come.”  For more about MAG"s work in Sudan please visit www.maginternational.org/sudan.