President of Southern Sudan Launches Clean-Up of Juba

Juba, 23 November 2009 - On Monday, Salva Kiir, President of Southern Sudan, launched a major clean-up initiative in Juba, declaring a public holiday. He was accompanied in picking up the first pieces of litter by His Excellency the Minister for the Environment of Southern Sudan, and the UK Ambassador, Dr Rosalind Marsden.

Over 16,000 volunteers are taking to the streets to tackle the growing health hazard caused by public dumping of waste in the town. The clean-up has attracted enthusiastic support from all major organisations based in Juba, including the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), wildlife, police and prisons services, all UN agencies and UNMIS, as well as the students and residents of Juba themselves.

With the rapid growth of the city and the absence of a sustainable waste management system, the people of Juba have endured repeated fatal outbreaks of cholera, waterborne diseases and malaria. This clean-up is the first step towards creating a safe and healthy environment in which Juba's citizens can live and work.

The clean-up is part of a £1 million UN Environment Programme (UNEP) project, funded by the UK's Department for International Development (DFID). It constitutes the first step in building a sustainable waste management system for Juba.

Ambassador Marsden said, "I am delighted to be here to launch, and take part in the clean-up of Juba today. The UK is playing a leading role in addressing climate change internationally, but we also recognise the importance of supporting national and local initiatives to improve management of the environment here in Sudan. Juba's growth in the last few years has been impressive, but the systems to improve waste management have lagged behind. I am delighted to see the commitment of so many people in Juba today to making Juba a better and healthier place. And I look forward to seeing this good work taken forward in the coming months."

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