Dogs track hidden killers

Case Study

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Problems caused by landmines

Landmines are explosive devices placed just below the surface of the ground. They are used by armies invading or protecting a country, and can be divided into two types - anti-personnel and anti-tank. Anti-tank mines are triggered by the heavy pressure of vehicles. Anti-personnel mines are activated by people or animals stepping on them. In general they are placed around military installations, bridges and reservoirs, along access roads, railways and powerlines and in areas to prevent population access to sources of water, schools and clinics. Perhaps the most devastating use of landmines is their random placement in fields and along access paths to stop people in rural areas using their fields for productive purposes.

The impact of landmines extends far beyond the immediate danger to individual lives and property and affects nearly every aspect of life in heavily mine infested regions. They kill and injure men, women and children. Landmines kill and injure civilians as well as soldiers. They produce one of the most serious obstacles to redevelopment and therefore cripple a country on an ongoing basis. The unseen costs are far greater than the $300 to $1000 required to remove one landmine from the ground or the $3000 required to provide a prosthetic device for a victim.

The unseen costs of landmines include:

• medical-treatment and rehabilitation of victims, when services are available, can take years and deplete scarce medical resources in poor countries. Mozambique suffers from a lack of adequate health and rehabilitative facilities that contributes to a high fatality rate among mine casualties. UNICEF has reported that nearly 60% of all victims die before they can receive appropriate first aid. In Mozambique more than 25% of all households were affected by landmines.

• refugees and repatriation - the presence of landmines impedes the return of refugees and the rebuilding of war torn societies, prolonging the consequences of war and armed conflict.

• economic - landmines prevent the full utilisation of farmland, destroy livestock and disrupt market and production patterns. Their presence inhibits tourism and other potential investment and development opportunities.

• environment - damage to wildlife, forests, and other environmental resources has consequences for both economic and social development. Landmines cause irreversible damage to ecosystems including prolonged direct damage to soil though shattering and displacement, destruction of soil structure and increased vulnerability of soil to water and wind erosion.

• security - the presence of landmines threatens the peace process and post-conflict recovery and reconstruction. They may impede humanitarian assistance efforts, prevent delivery of urgently needed services and supplies, and discourage potential investors.

Australia's role in assisting mine affected countries

Australia is one of the major donors in the world assisting mine affected countries. Since January 1995 Australia has committed over $35 million for demining programs. In December 1997 the Minister announced that Australia would provide in excess of $100 million for demining and related activities up to 2005. This funding is to be used for assisting mine affected countries with demining, mine awareness and victim assistance programs.

In line with the overall priorities of Australia's aid program, the majority of this assistance has been directed to countries in Australia's immediate region, particularly Cambodia and Laos. However, significant support has also been provided to Angola, Mozambique and Afghanistan.

Mine Dog Detection Project in Mozambique

Mozambique suffered from 20 years of civil warfare until 1992. All the armies involved used landmines. Mines have claimed more than 10 000 victims and will continue to do so for years. The presence of an estimated up to one million mines has impeded repatriation of refugees and obstructs humanitarian programs in rural areas and hinders economic reconstruction.

Australia has maintained an active role in mine clearance and related activities in Mozambique since 1994. Both AusAID and AUSTCARE have supported this program through the Mine Dog Detection Project. AUSTCARE has worked with the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA). The NPA is using Norwegian Defence Force training instructors who have had previous experience using dogs in Lebanon and Cambodia. They are training local Mozambicans many of whom were refugees in camps in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia. NPA presently employs and trains 560 Mozambican staff in demining activities.

For further details refer to the primary case study, Dogs help the people of Mozambique.