The United Nations Chief of Mine Action in South Sudan has warned that limited financial support is already undermining efforts to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance across the country.

Zehrudin Sukanovic said mine action remains essential for protecting civilians, supporting the return of displaced populations, and enabling national recovery.

Speaking on South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation during commemorations of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action in Juba, Sukanovic stressed that landmines continue to pose a serious and indiscriminate threat to communities.

“In South Sudan, mine action remains an essential component of broader efforts to protect civilians, support returns, and enable recovery,” he said. “Explosive hazards do not discriminate, and neither do the benefits of mine action. It brings together humanitarian actors, peacekeepers, national institutions, and communities into a unified response to a common threat.”

Sukanovic noted that reduced funding is already affecting ongoing operations, raising concerns about the pace and scope of clearance activities.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Albino Akol Atak Mayom, said the government is shifting its strategy as large-scale contamination declines.

“We are witnessing a transition in our approach,” he explained. “As large-scale contamination reduces, our focus is shifting towards managing residual risk. This includes integrating mine action into national planning frameworks and strengthening government structures to ensure long-term sustainability.”

He added that building national capacity will be key to addressing both current and future contamination challenges.

For his part, the Chairperson of the National Mine Action Authority, Jurkuch Barach Jurkuch, emphasized that mine action goes beyond land clearance.

“Mine action is not only about clearing land, but also protecting civilians, supporting peacekeeping mobility, enabling humanitarian operations, and creating safe conditions for return, recovery, and socio-economic growth,” he said.

Officials say South Sudan continues to grapple with the legacy of past conflicts, with landmines and unexploded ordnance still posing a major threat to communities across the country.