On September 12, 2024, APOPO had the privilege of chairing and co-presenting a side session at the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) meeting, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. This session provided a platform for sharing APOPO and MAG’s innovative approaches in detecting cluster munitions in Cambodia , particularly focusing on the use of Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs) as a key component in the Cluster Munition Remnant Survey (CMRS) Process.
Exploring the Role of Detection Dogs in Mine Action
The session, chaired by APOPO’s Director of European Partnerships, Anna Bouchier, focused on the vital role TSDs play in the mine action toolbox. These specially trained dogs are used to detect landmines and other remnants of war, including cluster munitions, with speed and accuracy. The discussion provided an overview of how the dogs enhance land surveys and accelerate clearance efforts in areas affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO).
Dave Willey, Quality Director at Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and APOPO’s Head of Mine Action, Michael Heiman explored the role of TSD in the CMRS process, underlining their performance during the initial 17-month long evaluation period and discussing the potential of the system in future CMRS operations. Stan Damjanovic, Standards and Operations Advisor at the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), provided the overview for the use of detection dogs as a part of the operational toolbox and shared the insights from the TSD evaluation project on landmines in Cambodia in 2019-2020.
Key Insights from the Cambodia Trial
A focal point of the session was the presentation of results from the 2022-2023 MAG-APOPO TSD Cluster Munition Remnant Survey trial, conducted in Cambodia. While the TSD is widely used for landmine detection techniques, this collaborative trial demonstrated the results of the techniques developed for CMRS by both organizations during the trial period.
During the trial, a MAG battle area clearance (BAC) team and an APOPO TSD team surveyed an area of 11,437,500 m2 (equal to the size of 1,606 soccer fields), finding 212 cluster munitions, of which 137 were found by the dogs and 75 by metal detectors. To test the confidence level of the dog detection process, the whole area searched by the dogs was checked by metal detectors using an independent BAC team, and no additional items were found.
Dave Willey emphasized the importance of quality control in these operations, ensuring that the findings are both reliable and replicable in different contexts. Michael Heiman presented the lessons learned during the trial and the various aspects of animal detection in vegetated areas.
The partners concluded that the integration of TSD into the CMRS toolbox contributes to the effectiveness of the process, and the partners will continue the collaboration, seeking for additional scaling opportunities.
APOPO’s Comprehensive Approach to Mine Action
APOPO employs a combination of Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs), and our well-known Mine Detection Rats (MDRs), alongside Machines and Manual Deminers for its demining operations. This integrated approach has proven to be highly effective in tackling the challenges of landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance in countries like Cambodia, Angola, Azerbaijan, South Sudan, Senegal, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
Mine Detection Dogs are specifically trained to detect the scent of explosives in active landmines, making them essential for systematically clearing known hazardous areas. In contrast, TSDs, exclusively trained by APOPO, are used in technical surveys to help define and reduce the size of suspected hazardous areas, allowing for more focused and efficient clearance operations.
However, the success of APOPO’s operations is not solely due to use of detection animals. We also combine these animals with highly trained manual deminers who conduct detailed ground verification, ensuring that the areas are safe for use by local communities. This synergy between animals and human expertise significantly accelerates the clearance process, reduces costs, and ensures a high level of accuracy and safety. APOPO’s comprehensive approach has enabled the clearance of millions of square meters of contaminated land, helping to restore safety and livelihoods to affected populations.
A Path Forward in Humanitarian Demining
The session concluded with a discussion on the future potential of Animal Detection Systems in global mine action efforts, particularly in regions that contain scattered ordnance across large areas. APOPO remains at the forefront of integrating animal detection systems into mine action, helping to accelerate the clearance of hazardous areas and ensure the safety of local communities.
“Collaboration and innovation can enable accelerated progress in humanitarian demining. By uniting diverse expertise—including the remarkable abilities of trained animals, we can transform the landscape from one of danger to safety, restoring hope and dignity to communities affected by the silent scars of conflict,” Anna Bouchier said of APOPO’s participation in the session.
This side session at the CCM meeting highlighted APOPO’s commitment to advancing mine action techniques through partnerships and cutting-edge technologies. By leveraging the capabilities of its animal detection systems, APOPO continues to play a leading role in global efforts to eliminate the threat of cluster munitions.
What are Cluster Munitions and What is the Convention on Cluster Munitions?
Cluster munitions are weapons designed to disperse multiple smaller explosives, known as submunitions or “bomblets,” over a wide area. These weapons can be launched from the ground or dropped from aircraft, and when deployed, the container opens mid-air, scattering bomblets indiscriminately. The submunitions are intended to detonate on impact, but many fail to do so, leaving behind unexploded ordnance that poses long-term risks to civilians, often functioning like landmines. These remnants can kill or injure people years after conflicts have ended and hinder activities such as farming and rebuilding infrastructure.
To address these dangers, the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) was adopted on May 30, 2008, signed by states on December 3, 2008, and entered into force on August 1, 2010. The treaty prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions and requires states to clear contaminated areas, assist victims, and destroy their stockpiles. More than 100 states are party to the Convention, marking a global commitment to reducing the harm caused by these weapons and aiding affected communities.
