SLIRI'S AIMS
SLIRI is an impartial Sudanese NGO working to free Sudan from landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW), delivering comprehensive (crosslines) community based quality mine action planning and responses.
SLIRI has been working to address the problem of landmines and ERW in Sudan since 2002. It is the largest cross conflict mine action programme in Sudan, with local offices in 14 known mine affected areas.
While SLIRI is already accepted as an indigenous NGO in the South, it is currently a programme of Landmine Action (UK). As part of Landmine Action’s commitment to capacity building, SLIRI will be registered as an independent indigenous cross conflict NGO as soon as is feasible.
The situation in Sudan
• Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for all but 10 years of its post independence existence, making it Africa’s longest running conflict.
• The current phase of the conflict, which pits the Government of Sudan against the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) based in the south of the country, began in 1983.
• The conflict has led to the deaths of more than two million people and the displacement of over 4 million people.
• As a consequence of decades of fighting, Sudan is seriously affected by landmines and other explosive remnants of war.
• Anti personnel landmines have been found in defensive belts around garrison towns, whilst anti-tank mines are often planted on key roads on routes in many of the current and former combat zones. There is a large amount of abandoned ordnance in many areas in the south of the country.
• Approximately 500,000 Sudanese refugees are currently living in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Central African republic.
• Thousands of internally displaced people and refugees have already started making their way back home. Many face injury and death from mine and UXO-affected areas.
• A comprehensive peace agreement is under negotiation but has been overshadowed by the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Western Sudan.