MA- Increased Safety for Conflict Affected Communities of Kajo-Keji (former Central Equatoria State) through Integrated Mine Action Response In recent years, the consequences of internal conflict, the impact of armed violence, human rights violations and the lack of adequate protection access have exacerbated the effects of the protracted crisis affecting South Sudanese communities, expanding the negative effects to the southern Equatoria regions. Even when the fighting is over, the consequences of armed violence are visible in the contamination of land and infrastructure by explosive remnants of war (ERWs) and other explosive hazards. This represents a grave safety hazard for local people, hindering the provision of humanitarian relief and access to basic services to vulnerable communities in addition to inhibiting the socio-economic development of the area. The proposed action aims at increasing safety and security of host and displaced communities in Kajo Keji county, in former Central Equatoria state. DCA will set up an operations base and maintain a static presence in Kajo Keji throughout the project period. From here DCA will deploy two clearance multitasking teams (MTTs) with an embedded Community Liaison/ Risk Education (CL/RE) component. The MTTs will consists of 1 International Technical Adviser (TA) EOD level 3, 2 Team Leaders (TL), 2 Deputy Team Leader (DTL), 8 de-miners and 2 medics in addition the embedded CL/RE team includes 1 TL and 2 RE assistants. DCA will with this setup be able to reduce the impact of explosive hazards on local communities, through land release, disposal of explosive ordnance and delivery of safety message through Risk Education awareness campaigns and trainings. Within the CL/RE component, DCA will engage local groups and community representatives to understand the suspected contamination history of the area, the presence of groups at-risk or particularly vulnerable to the threat of ERWs, and the security and overall context. After assessing, identifying and prioritizing the contaminated areas, the team will proceed with the removal and destruction of explosive hazards in line with DCA Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), national guidelines and international standards. After passing the Quality Control (QC) performed by UNMAS and National Mine Action Authorities (NMAA) , the final handover of the land, now safe and usable for housing, movement and productive purposes, will take place with the communities and local authorities. The MTT will also have the capacity to respond to emergency calls for the investigation, identification and eventual disposal of explosive hazards reported by the local communities through the CL/RE staff or the UNMAS hotline. Disposal activities will be supported by CL and RE awareness campaigns to spread safety practices and safe knowledge among local communities to reduce the threat of hazardous items. Attention will be given to at-risk groups such as children and women. The RE component will be reinforced through training of community focal points in spreading safety messages to their communities, ensuring the sustainable exit strategy of the action. Overall, the project aims at benefitting 33,980 in Kajo Keji county, including host community, displaced groups and households resettling from previous displacements.