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HAITI / AMMUNITION DESTRUCTION
STORY: HAITI / AMMUNITION DESTRUCTION
TRT: 2’04”
SOURCE: MINUSTAH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH, NATS
DATELINE: 19 and 20 DECEMBER 2013, GANTHIER, HAITI
19 DECEMBER 2013, GANTHIER, HAITI
1. Various shots of UN Nepalese Peacekeepers bringing boxes of old ammunition
2. Close up, rockets being taken out of bag
3. Med shot, UN Nepalese Peacekeeper taking 51mm rocket out of box
4. Close up, 51 mm rocket on the ground
5. Wide shot, range of 51mm rockets on the ground with 81mm on the back
6. SOUNDBITE (English), Richard Boulton, Chief Weapons and Ammunition Management Advisor, United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS):
“It makes no sense and it’s certainly not recommended, to ship the bad ammunition back to where it’s come from. And it’s relatively straightforward – it’s quite a busy day today – but it’s relatively straightforward to dispose of it here. With no long-term environmental consequence. And so, we are doing it to prevent an unplanned explosion in a populated area.”
7. Wide shot, Nepalese Peacekeepers carrying od ammunition
8. Med shot, Boulton preparing next pit with combination of ammunition waiting to be disposed
9. Close up, pit being dug
10. Close up, old 81mm phosphorus flare ammunition
11. Med shot, ammunition advisors standing in a pit, talking
12. Close up, sandbag ceiling the combination of ammunitions in the pit
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Boulton, Chief Weapons and Ammunition Management Advisor, United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS):
“Once I know that wight, I am going to have a look at the ammunition and select the proper combination to ensure that we have an appropriate mix of large and smaller items and enough explosive to make sure that everything is destroyed – totally destroyed in a single shot.”
20 DECEMBER 2013, GANTHIER, HAITI
14. Wide shot, explosion
15. Wide shot, media, peacekeepers and Haitian fire Marshall watching and filming
16. Wide shot, explosion
The United Nations Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Haitian National Police (HNP), carried-out a joint operation to destroy unusable or expired munitions and explosives, as part of MINUSTAH's Consolidation Plan and the HNP's Development Plan.
"The process of destruction by controlled explosion allows to minimize the environmental impact, preventing pollution and dangers linked to burial of obsolete explosives and ammunition on land or at sea," said the Chief Weapons and Ammunition Management Advisor of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), Richard Boulter, who led the operation.
This operation was organized in cooperation with experts from the military, civilian and police components of MINUSTAH, as well as various components of HNP within the framework of a joint HNP-MINUSTAH security plan.
In accordance with international rules and principles, the destruction of conventional ammunition, is a key element to the proper management of ammunition stockpile as they could present a hazard in use or storage.
Among the destroyed ammunition were lethal and non-lethal ammunition and explosives such as bullets for pistols or rifles, including some seized by the HNP, as well as grenades used in policing and peacekeeping operations.
The immediate rehabilitation of the terrain including the collection of possible debris and back-filling the pits as well as site inspection with the relevant authorities are also part of the operation.
Founded in 1997, UNMAS coordinates efforts across the entire United Nations system to eliminate landmines and unexploded ordnance and mitigate their impact on everyday life.
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