Support HeroDOGs that save lives

Organization information

APOPO

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Summary

Landmines injure and kill innocent civilians every day and pose a huge barrier to development, long after wars end. Clearing minefields is intense work and demands accuracy and time.

Research shows that only a small percentage of minefields actually contain landmines. It is widely recognized in the sector that to increase effectiveness, appropriate low-cost survey methods are needed to further reduce areas, by confirming the presence or absence of explosives without compromising safety.

APOPO trains specially equipped Technical Survey Dogs (nicknamed HeroDOGs) that carry out searches covering large areas, looking for the smell of explosives without the need for time-consuming and expensive vegetation cutting. They are trained to sit down at least a metre before the target scent keeping them out of harm's way.

If explosives are confirmed, APOPO begins the clearance process and safely destroys them. In this way APOPO supports some of the most vulnerable communities to transform their lives and livelihoods. 

APOPO offers fast, effective and cost-efficient alternatives to save lives, involving and employing local communities in the solution, whilst helping to create positive social change. 

TGE Partner: King Baudouin Foundation

Project locations

Angola, Cambodia, South Sudan, Turkey

UN goals

• NO POVERTY
• ZERO HUNGER
• GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
• QUALITY EDUCATION
• GENDER EQUALITY
• CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
• DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
• INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE
• REDUCED INEQUALITIES
• SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
• RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
• LIFE ON LAND
• PEACE, JUSTICE, AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
• PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS