World Mine Action Day, World Health Day: Two briefings

WHAT: A briefing on World Mine Action Day, immediately followed by a briefing on World Health Day. An update on each topic will be provided, followed by questions and answers.

WHO: Ms. Eliane Duthoit, Head of Office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA), will host the briefings on behalf of the United Nations Deputy Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator. Experts on health and mine action will speak on technical issues.

WHEN: Wednesday 04 April 2007, 11:30 - 12:30

WHERE: OCHA-AFEX Compound, OCHA Conference Room

(Juba: 02 April 2007): As World Mine Action day (04 April) and World Health Day (07 April) are commemorated in Southern Sudan and worldwide, the United Nations and partners continue to work for the provision of humanitarian assistance to those affected by illness and by landmines, including hundreds of survivors injured by landmines.

As Southern Sudan progresses towards recovery and development, the United Nations and partners are also working to prevent further distress to the population, and further hindrance to recovery and development, caused by disease and by landmines - the first a natural calamity, the second a result of over two decades of war.

Meningitis and acute watery diarrhea combined have killed 661 in Southern Sudan since the beginning of 2007 (as of 25 March), while Southern Sudan is experiencing the early stages of a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic. Communicable diseases remain the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Southern Sudan. The United Nations and partners are working for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Landmines have caused 2,390 known casualties in Southern Sudan over the last five years. In addition to direct human suffering, the cost of landmines in terms of inhibition of agricultural production, food security, economic activities, and freedom of movement (including returns of refugees and internally displaced persons), is incalculable. Continued work for clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Southern Sudan is not only live-saving humanitarian work, but is also essential for recovery and development.

As the United Nations and partners work on both fronts, the media will have an opportunity to get an update on needs and response in these two sectors, and ask specific questions.

For further information, please contact:

Maurizio Giuliano, Public Information Officer, United Nations, Juba, Sudan, Email: giuliano@un.org, Telephone: +249-91-2179084

Melissa Phillips, Coordination and Information Officer, United Nations, Juba, Sudan, Email: phillipsm@un.org, Telephone: +249-91-2501652