27 Mar 2012

MAURITANIA / GUTERRES

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres traveled Monday to north-west Mauritania to Mbera camp where more than 45,000 Malians have fled fighting in their country between the Malian army and the Tuareg rebels. UNHCR

Posted at: March 27, 2012 1:00 pm

Duration: 02:10

Available in: SD

DOWNLOAD

Full script

STORY: MAURITANIA/ GUTERRES  
TRT: 2:10 
SOURCE: UNHCR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / NATS

DATELINE 26 MARCH 2012, MBERA, MAURITANIA

SHOTLIST:

1. Wide shot, helicopter landing 
2. Various shots, HC stepping out of the helicopter, meet and greet 
3. Wide shot, convoy of trucks 
4. Close up, HC Guterres 
5. Med shot, HC meets with MSF medical staff 
6. Med shot, HC and little baby 
7. Pan left, mother and child 
8. Med shot, HC Guterres meeting with Tuareg leaders 
9. SOUNDBITE (French) Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees:  Mali is experiencing a terrible humanitarian crisis. Already we have seen over 40,000 refugees in this camp in Mauritania and more than 180,000 people displaced internal and outside the country (Mali). I appeal to the international community. Not much attention has been paid to Mali and Malians who are in flight. We need the generosity of the international community to help the refugees and the people of Mali as well as the neighboring countries who are taking in the refugees and this at a time of terrible drought. Mobilization of the international community is essential." 
10. Med shot, refugees watching 
11. Wide shot, helicopter lifts off

STORYLINE:

Isolated, dry and dusty - this is the Sahara desert in north western Mauritania, 50 kilometres from the border of Mali.  Antonio Guterres, High Commissioner for Refugees and the Mauritanian Minister of the Interior travelled here to visit Mbera refugee camp.  First, they met with medical staff.

Then with little ones being attended to in the new a primary health centre.  Here, there are more than 45,000 Malians who have fled the fighting in their country between the Malian army and the Tuareg rebels.  Tribal leaders spoke of their plight, their difficult conditions.

The High Commissioner responded with an appeal for help.

SOUNDBITE (French) Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commmissioner for Refugees: 
"Mali is experiencing a terrible humanitarian crisis. Already we have seen over 40,000 refugees in this camp in Mauritania and more than 180,000 people displaced internal and outside the country (Mali). I appeal to the international community. Not much attention has been paid to Mali and Malians who are in flight. We need the generosity of the international community to help the refugees and the people of Mali as well as the neighboring countries who are taking in the refugees and this at a time of terrible drought. Mobilization of the international community is essential."  Continued political uncertainty in the region, including last week's coup by members of Malian armed forces worries many.  It harbors the potential of creating even more displacement into the desert."

Filed under 13.01.00 - PROTECTION OF AND ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS MALI MAURITANIA UNHCR - Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.