Chad children help Irish bomb experts
IRISH Army bomb experts in Chad have destroyed more than 150 war debris munitions -- often with the help of local people.
Children pointed out rocket propelled grenade warheads to an Army EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team at Kiubogou near Goz Beida this week.
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The EOD experts dug a small trench before blowing up the rockets with plastic explosive.
The Herald reported last week that three children were severely injured by unexploded ordnance (UXOs) near the Irish Camp Ciara in Goz Beida.
For the last three days the EOD team, working as part of the 97th Infantry Battalion in Chad, have destroyed 31 UXOs in south-eastern Chad, a Defence Forces spokesman said.
"Since the unit first deployed in May/June the team have destroyed over 150 UXOs. Sadly, since our deployment this danger continues to cause injuries to the local population as they encounter UXOs," he said.
The war debris is military ordnance, grenades, ammunition and shells, found by locals -- ammunition and explosives that were discarded, lost or used, but failed to explode, by government or rebel forces during past engagements.
"They are potentially lethal and the Irish battalion in co-operation with NGOs (non governmental organisations) have also started a programme of education and awareness for the local population pointing out the danger of UXOs and simple actions to be taken should any be located."
"Carrying out this function contributes to the safety and security of their environment," the spokesman said.
"Some of this is paying dividends as locals do inform the battalion of the location of UXOs and the EOD team destroy them, hence our operations over the last number of days," the spokesman added.
- Michael Lavery
