Support HeroRATs that save lives

Organization information

APOPO

Location: Brussels, Belgium

Summary

APOPO trains African giant pouched rats (nicknamed HeroRATs) to detect landmines, tuberculosis (TB) and more, using their amazing sense of smell. Our HeroRATs have massive potential to relieve human suffering and promote development in affected countries.

Methods to rid affected countries of landmines are slow. Trained landmine detection rats can quickly and accurately find landmines, which significantly speeds up the process of clearing minefields.

TB-detection rats quickly search human sputum samples for the smell of TB, which when confirmed in our lab, is helping APOPO find new TB patients that went undiagnosed. This is helping partner clinics find more patients so they can get on life-saving treatment and stop the spread of TB. The HeroRATs are at least as accurate as conventional smear microscopy, but up to 80 times faster.

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, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Tanzania

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