Anti Personnel Mines and Ammunition Stockpile Destruction Program (APMASD)

Afghanistan 's New Beginnings Program (ANBP) conducted a nationwide ammunition survey in November 04, funded by Canada , to estimate the amount of ammunition that had been abandoned and or has passed its expiry date and has to be made safe.

After over 25 years of war, an estimated 100,000 tones of legal or illegal ammunition is known to either intentionally or unintentionally litter Afghanistan . Much of the ammunition that has been abandoned lies in unguarded locations, has not been maintained or is no longer required. This ammunition is now being assessed to ascertain if it is identifiable, safe and or economically useable. Ammunition that is useable is relocated to a safe GoA location - the remainder is destroyed by specialist teams.

The national program formally commenced in July 05. Eight teams, known as Weapons and Ammunition Destruction Teams, (WAD's) coordinated by ANBP, comprising two international IP's, provides technical expertise on disposing and or transporting ammunition, and work together with teams from the MoD to build their capacity. Together, the teams jointly remove the threat posed by the ammunition to those innocently and or otherwise tempted, to interfere with it.

The initial survey, funded by the Canadians, with in kind technical support from the State Dept's ERW program, inspect and assess the threat on site and, if required, carry out emergency destruction. The total cost of the operational two year program is estimated to be in the region of $16m. The Canadians and UNDP are, to date, the key donors together with in kind support received from the US State Department's Explosives Remnants of War (ERW) program.

	Photos below taken by Rick Beven		Photos below taken by Rick Beven
	Photos below taken by Rick Beven		Photos below taken by Rick Beven