De-mining dogs: Clearing landmines in Sri Lanka Case Study Click on the following links for further information about this case study: Teacher's Notes Student Activities De-mining dogs: Clearing landmines in Sri Lanka In July 1999 the Sri Lankan papers carried stories and pictures of dogs and four dog-handlers. In Jaffna, a northern city of Sri Lanka, the dogs and their handlers were greeted with great enthusiasm, for they were highly trained dogs and people, with special skills and equipment. Who were they and why had they travelled to Jaffna? Since 1983, the Jaffna Peninsula in Sri Lanka has been an area of armed conflict or civil war between the Government forces and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelan (LTTE). Both sides have used landmines, planting them in agricultural land, gardens, under roads and buildings. The landmines are designed to explode when stepped on or driven over. During the time of intense conflict almost the whole population was displaced, some villagers becoming refugees in Southern India, others moving to safer parts of Sri Lanka. The United Nations (UN) reports that over 10,000 residents in this small area lost their lives and at least as many were injured and unable to work. Since 1995/6 the Government security forces gained control of the peninsula from the 'Tamil Tigers' or the LTTE, and people began to return home. Many returnees, unaware of the presence of landmines, are being injured or killed as they walk in fields and gardens. Many children are victims because their family chores and play often take them unknowingly into the most contaminated areas. These children and their families - the men and women farmers who are beginning to replant crops - need to feel safe and secure. This is where the dogs are important, for these are dogs trained to detect landmines and unexploded ordnance or UXOs. The UN has implemented an integrated scheme called the Jaffna Resettlement and Rehabilitation Programme. The landmines and UXOs scattered throughout the Jaffna Peninsula are an impediment to this, so the program includes: surveying the land for mines; marking contaminated areas; comprehensive clearance; mine awareness program; assistance to victims; and emergency responses. The Sri Lankan Army carried out limited landmine clearance but their resources are stretched so the UN called for assistance. The Australian Government responded with mine detection teams and equipment. So far, 577 landmines have been detected in less then six months during the first phase of clearance. In 2000 Australia will give $1.1 million for further mine surveying and mine awareness training. Since July 1999, sniffer dogs have detected more than 572 landmines and 42 unexploded ordnance in the Jaffna Peninsula.   Local villagers are being recruited and trained for the initial survey work to gather important information used to produce maps and establish a Geographic Information Systems database to record all mine related work. It is in the second survey when the detailed maps of suspect areas are drawn that the 'de-mining dogs' are used. The mine dog team usually has a mine dog handler and two dogs. The dogs work in pairs, sniffing the ground to detect scents and vapours from explosives in mines or UXOs. The second dog is used to verify the work of the first dog. Local people are trained to produce maps of where landmines may be found.   Once the mines are identified, the contaminated areas are clearly marked. The perimeters of mined areas are surveyed using Geographical Positioning Systems and conventional surveying techniques, then the landmines and UXOs are removed. Once landmines are found, the area is marked out so nobody enters.   United Nations Development Program (UNDP) personnel also assist in mine awareness training, which is carried out to show the people the areas where landmines are most densely laid and to train the villagers to understand the minefield marking signs. Mine awareness training is part of every school curriculum. UNICEF has also launched a mine assistance program along with Education for Conflict Resolution, which is integrated into the entire school curriculum to help students learn non-violent ways of resolving conflict and working for lasting peace. All of these projects along with the mine dog teams are working to establish peace in a community that has been torn apart by conflict.   Top © Commonwealth of Australia