GAO, Mali, July 14 -- The 10th Chinese Peacekeeping Combined Construction Engineering Company to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) completed the air defense bunker reconstruction mission for the Egyptian police contingent in MINUSMA Sector East on July 12.
The wooden top of the air defense bunkers had deteriorated due to years of erosion from wind and sand, not able to provide protection. Reconstruction of the air defense bunkers was in urgent need. According to the requirements of the mission, the Chinese engineering contingent dismantled the original bunkers and rebuilt steel double-deck container bunkers with stronger defensive capabilities.
The newly-built bunkers consist of containers and sandboxes, which required several steps in sequence, including container hoisting and stacking, top steel plate welding, sandbag filling, and container stacking. Most of the work was done manually due to the narrow working space.
Over 2,500 sandbags were laid throughout the reconstruction process, and the mission was successfully accomplished within only 20 days. Besides, the Chinese engineering contingent helped the Egyptian police contingent dismantle the simple garage and rebuild it into a new steel one, winning full approval from the Egyptian side.