The United Nations Mine Action Office in Sudan

2009-11-04 

Before the civil war broke out in 1983, the Southern Sudan town of Yei was booming due to its proximity to the Ugandan and Congolese borders. However, more than 20 years of conflict have not helped the town’s poorly developed infrastructure, trade and industry.  Following the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, signs of recovery have been encouraging. The city is surrounded by lush farmlands and its location ensures that the business potential is immense. Still as you walk through the streets of Yei you notice children playing among the rusty military tanks that litter the roadsides, and you come across villagers with missing limbs, a stern reminder of the landmines that were laid during the war. 

Cecilia Yabo Juma, 33, is one of them. Two years ago, she went outside the town to collect firewood for her family. Having recently returned from a refugee camp in Uganda, she was not aware of the landmine threat in the region. As she walked in a field, she stepped on a mine and lost her right leg and badly injured the other one in the explosion.