Leftover landmines and explosives threaten more than a third of the world’s countries. They remain active long after hostilities end, causing terror, killing indiscriminately and hampering the development of vulnerable communities.
Countries and states with hidden landmines
61
Global accidents in 2016
8,605
Percentage of accidents involving children
42
Through clicker/reward training, the mine detection rats (MDR) are taught to scratch the earth above a landmine. They hear a 'click' and receive a snack. Unlike metal detectors, the rats ignore scrap metal and only sniff out explosive scent making them fast and efficent landmine detectors.
How
A landmine is an explosive device that is buried or placed hidden on the ground. An antipersonnel landmine is designed to specifically target people. They are triggered by a variety of methods, most commonly pressure, either direct or by a wire, and are referred to as being “victim activated” (not remote controlled).
Over 60 countries are contaminated by landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Because landmines are victim-activated they kill indiscriminately. In 2016 landmines and explosive remnants of war caused at least 8,605 casualties, of which 78% were civilians and 42% children.
The threat of landmines also hampers economic recovery and development in war damaged areas. Villages are cut off from basic necessities such as water supplies and essential travel routes, and are prevented from using fertile land for the cultivation of crops, grazing livestock or development.
Our Impact
Mine Action is the collective term for activities that aim to reduce the social, economic and environmental impact of landmines by finding and destroying them. It is difficult, dangerous, time consuming and costly. Landmines cost only $3 to $75 to make and lay but, using traditional techniques, cost an average of $300 to $1000 each to remove. This high price tag puts even greater strain on economies already damaged by conflict. That’s where the HeroRATs come in…
Miriam's father Zito was forced to work in a field he suspected to contain landmines so he could feed his family. One day he hit a mine with his hoe...and survived!
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We also encounter other explosive materials such as unexploded artillery shells, hand grenades, mortars, rockets or airdropped bombs and ammunition. These are referred to as ‘Explosive Remnants of War’ (ERW’s) and include ‘Unexploded Ordnance’ (UXO) and ‘Abandoned Explosive Ordnance’ (AXO). One common form of ERW in SE Asia is the cluster bomb – sub-munitions dropped from aircraft that have failed to detonate on impact.