Solutions to win: women’s teams with service dogs to aid in humanitarian demining efforts in Ukraine

In Ukraine, the "Service Dogs for Demining in Ukraine" project was introduced. Its goal is to develop technologies for detecting explosive devices using women and their four-legged companions.

Ukrinform reports this.

What is the problem?

According to the Deputy Minister of Economy, Ihor Bezkaravainy, Ukraine has experience using canines to locate explosive items. However, these dogs were primarily utilized by special forces, police, border patrols, and other similar entities.

"Until now, in the classical sense of mine action, dogs have not been used. Because of this, we will have a certain bureaucratic procedure for developing standards for implementing this.

I hope that everything will be fast and we will be able to ensure that the involvement of dogs for demining in Ukraine acquires the most official status," the official explained.

What is the solution?

That's why UNDP, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and other partners, introduced the project "Utilizing Service Dogs for Demining in Ukraine." Its goal is to advance technologies for detecting explosive objects using dogs to expedite the process of demining areas.

Photo: Ukrinform

"This project is implemented in cooperation with UNDP, mine countermeasures operators MAG and APOPO, and with the financial support of the Netherlands and Spain. Its goal is to work out and develop technologies for searching for explosive objects with the help of dogs. Also, within its limits, unique components that will be applied must be developed right here, in Ukraine," the Deputy Minister of Economy informed.

The initiative received financial support from the Netherlands and Spain.

How does it work?

Bezkaravainy clarified that the project will entail forming teams of 8 female cynologists and 16 technical search dogs.

Experts were trained in Cambodia for five months. Once certified, the teams will commence surveying the areas in the Kharkiv region.

The project focuses on training and accreditation of demining teams, including the creation of National Standards for mine action using dogs. According to the plan, about 1.8 square kilometers in the Kharkiv region will be surveyed over the next seven months.

The official also added that dogs are cheaper and faster than traditional methods of surveying areas by sappers.

Jaco Cilliers, the UNDP's permanent representative in Ukraine, stressed the project's significance in boosting demining efforts and setting standards for future operations.

In their turn, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Alle Dorhout, and the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to Ukraine, Ricardo Lopez-Aranda Jagu, emphasized the initiative's importance for the rapid cleaning of the territories and expressed solidarity with Ukraine. They also emphasized gender equality since women's teams participated in the project.

For reference:

It is essential to mention that various areas in Ukraine pose a potential danger to Ukrainians, such as fields, forests, parks, rivers, and even highways, due to landmines. A new educational series has been developed on the Diia to raise awareness among citizens.Education platform as part of the "Notice the Changes" information campaign to inform people about explosive objects.