SOUTH SUDAN / MINE AWARENESS DAY

During an event today in Juba commemorating the International Mine Awareness Day, the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan said since 2004 UNMAS and their partners have cleared 3 million pieces of unexploded ordinance, 36,000 mines, and about 900,000 other unexploded devices. UNMISS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:06
• Production Date: 4 April 2017
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN SOUTH SUDAN – UNMISS
• Subject Topical: MINE CLEARANCE
• Geographic Subject: SOUTH SUDAN
• MAMS Id: 1861335
• Parent Id: 1861335
• Alternate Title: unifeed170404d

Description

STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / MINE AWARENESS DAY
TRT: 02:06
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 04 APRIL 2017, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, UNMAS Mine clearing equipment and banners
2. Med shot, UNMAS Mine clearing vehicle and banners
3. Med shot, UNMISS SRSG being shown the UNMAS mine clearing vehicle
4. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in South Sudan:
“Since 2004 UNMAS and their partners since have cleared 3 million pieces of un-exploded ordinance, 36,000 mines, about 900 000 other unexploded devices. When you think about what that could do to people walking around then you start to think about what the Secretary General meant when he said; ‘Peace without mine clearance can’t be real peace.’”
5. Wide shot, UNMISS SRSG and UNMAS South Sudan Programme Director with mine technician
6. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General in South Sudan:
“I just want to acknowledge once again UNMAS in terms of what they do in to enable not only people to be safe in South Sudan but also to be able to carry on their economic activities with confidence as well.”
7. Med, Explosive detecting dog sniffing bags
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Tim Lardner , South Sudan Programme Manager, UNMAS:
“The ultimate goal of UNMAS, the ultimate goal of Mine Action partners in South Sudan is to remove every last mine and remnant of war from this Country. Now clearly that is going to take a long time. There is a lot of contamination here but our aim is to clear the country of all contamination and provide a country where kids can go to school without the threat from mines. Where men women boys and girls can go to wells, draw water without being threatened with contamination after the war.”
9. PSA, UNMASS “Beware” Music Video Clip
10. Wide shot, Detonator cable
11. Close up, Technician preparing detonator
12. Wide shot, Dust cloud from explosion

Storyline

The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan said since 2004 UNMAS and their partners have cleared 3 million pieces of unexploded ordinance, 36,000 mines, and about 900,000 other unexploded devices.

Speaking during an event today (4 Apr) in Juba commemorating the International Mine Awareness Day, David shearer stressed “when you think about what that could do to people walking around then you start to think about what the Secretary General meant when he said; ‘Peace without mine clearance can’t be real peace.’”

According to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), there are over 700 hazardous areas in South Sudan, with 5 new areas being reported every day,

The day is commemorated every year on 4th of April to celebrate the work of UNMAS and its partners. UNMAS has been around for 20 years and its contribution can be felt in many countries that have been ravaged by war.

David Shearer said the statistics of what UNMAS has cleared was amazing, adding that the infestation of mines is a hindrance to any economy and he praised the work of UNMAS in allowing economic activity in South Sudan to grow.

He said, “I just want to acknowledge once again UNMAS in terms of what they do in to enable not only people to be safe in South Sudan but also to be able to carry on their economic activities with confidence as well.”

UNMAS suffered a big set-back in December 2013 in South Sudan when the fighting erupted. They could not gain access to areas that they were working at cleared and areas that they had cleared were again being contaminated by fighting between the Government and opposition fighters.

Also speaking at the event, Tim Lardner, UNMAS South Sudan Programme Manager, noted that despite the challenges, they still have a goal that they want to achieve in the country.

He said, “The ultimate goal of UNMAS, the ultimate goal of Mine Action partners in South Sudan is to remove every last mine and remnant of war from this Country. Now clearly that is going to take a long time. There is a lot of contamination here but our aim is to clear the country of all contamination and provide a country where kids can go to school without the threat from mines. Where men women boys and girls can go to wells, draw water without being threatened with contamination after the war.”

At the ceremony, UNMAS launched a song and music video that they produced using local South Sudanese artist Jay Family in collaboration with girls from the Giada Primary school who won the spot by participating in the UNMAS Risk Factor Talent Competition. The song and video will be used as part of their Mine Awareness Campaign throughout the country.

While the event was taking place in Juba, a controlled explosion was carried out in Malakal by UNMAS to destroy 97 UXOs and 774 SAA (Small Arms ammunition).