INTERNATIONAL MINE AWARENESS DAY | APRIL 4, 2021
MDD Kora "sniffing out landmines" in Azerbaijan (August 2020)
Today - April 4th - is International Mine Awareness Day (IMAD)!
The tenets of IMAD this year are “Perseverance, Partnership, and Progress."
The challenges of the past year tested the world’s perseverance, along with that of MLI and other NGO’s focused on humanitarian mine action around the globe. Through the generosity of donors and strength of partnerships, MLI proud has supported clearance efforts that have led to the released more than 51 million m² of formerly contaminated land. On this International Mine Awareness Day, we welcome you to reflect on the progress that has been made, and prepare for the lifesaving work still to come.
MINE FREE SARAJEVO PROJECT
Two years ago, MLI partnered with ITF-Enhancing Security and the Mine Detection Dog Center (MDDC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement the Mine Free Sarajevo Project, funded entirely by the U.S. Department of State. This project aims to clear Sarajevo, the country's capital, and its surrounding municipalities of landmines. The completion of this historic project, expected within the next few months, will hopefully serve as a springboard to launch an international effort to clear the entire country within the next five years.
Bosnia and Herzegovina remains the most mine-affected country in Europe as a result of the 1992-1995 Bosnian War. The Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC) estimates that landmine contamination continues to directly affect approximately 13% of the population. We are highlighting some of its major accomplishments.
Meeting between US Ambassador Nelson, MDDC, and Mayors of Sarajevo and surrounding municipalities (April 2019)
Why Sarajevo?
Between the end of the Bosnian War in 1995, and the beginning of the Mine Free Sarajevo Project, 1,149 Bosnians suffered from injuries and 617 died in landmine accidents. There clearly was an urgent need to expedite mine clearance efforts.
In June 2019, MLI's President Perry Baltimore visited Sarajevo to meet with MFS project partners and landmine survivors including Sarajevo-native Selma Gušo.
MLI's President meets with Emin Cohodarevic at the Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina to discuss Mine Free Sarajevo (May 2019)
Deminers in Stari Grad (June 2019)
Perry Baltimore & Selma Gušo in Sarajevo (June 2019)
Selma is a landmine survivor, public speaker, and MLI’s 2019 Survivors’ Assistance Award recipient for her work in empowering fellow women survivors and others with disabilities.
"I was born and raised in Sarajevo, and this project means a lot to me. Sarajevo is a city with many different cultures and nationalities. When the project is fully completed, and the goal of Sarajevo Free of Mines finally becomes a reality, we will be able to live and move without the fear of being injured by mines, live together and leave the past behind us. I am a mine survivor and I live [a] life with disability because of landmines. I would be the happiest person if my country one day becomes free of mines."- Selma Gušo
After a short pause on work on the Mine Free Sarajevo project last spring due to the Covid-19 pandemic, work resumed in the summer of 2020 and likely will be completed this spring.
Since the beginning of the project, demining teams have discovered 656 mines and explosive devices/remnants. The project has supported the clearance of 6.2 square kilometers of land in 4 municipalities.
MLI is proud to have worked with ITF-Enhancing Security and the Mine Detection Dog Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Mine Free Sarajevo. This project would not have been possible without the financial support of the U.S. Department of State. Check out the video below to learn more about the Mine Free Sarajevo project!
Mine Free Sarajevo Project Display Panel in Stari Grad.
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Mine Detection Dog MVPs
MDD Mace
- Country: Azerbaijan
- Sponsor: Steve and Jaqui Edelmann
- Year Donated: 2013
- Age: 9 years old
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Fun Fact: MDD Mace and his handler at the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) helped to search 501,903 square meters of land in Azerbaijan in 2020 alone! In the latter half of 2020, Mace and his handler located 130 unexploded ordnance (UXO devices). Great job, MDD Mace!
MDD Tiger Pride
- Country: Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Sponsor CHAMPS Connecticut
- Year Donated: 2015
- Age: 8 years old
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Fun Fact: MDD Tiger Pride recently underwent retraining with a new handler and human best friend to help another Bosnian demining organization! In 2020, he began working with fellow CHAMPS Connecticut-sponsored MDD Donnalley.
MDD Boomer
- Country: Iraqi Kurdistan
- Sponsor: General Dynamics
- Year Donated: 2018
- Age: 4 years old
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Fun Fact: MDD Boomer's day begins at 7am, when Boomer’s kennel is cleaned and he receives a health check. After his check, Boomer gets a hearty breakfast. On alternating days, Boomer trains with his handler 8:30am to noon or he plays outside. After a lunch break, Boomer is groomed each afternoon and receives a second health check in the early evening. What a day!
MDD Leader
- Country: Lebanon
- Sponsor: Northrop Grumman
- Year Donated: 2015
- Age: 7 years old
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Fun Fact: In 2020, MDD Leader helped to search 17,350 square meters of land in Al Omra and Jrbata, Lebanon. Al Omra is one of the most mine-affected regions of Lebanon. The land MDD Leader helped search can now be used for development and agriculture. MDD Leader's clearance work last year directly benefitted approximately 1,105 individuals!
MDD Nanee
- Country: Sri Lanka
- Sponsor: Laura J. Niles Foundation
- Year Donated: 2017
- Age: 5 years old
- Breed: Belgian Malinois
- Fun Fact: In 2020, MDD Nanee worked to "sniff out landmines" in the Kilinochchi District, which is considered to be one of the most landmine-contaminated districts in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. MDD Nanee's work helps clear land that will be used for coconut harvesting, an important source of income for communities in the Kilinochchi District!
CHAMPS Alumni Spotlight
Since its launch in 2004, schoolchildren across 16 states have sponsored 44 lifesaving mine detection dogs through our Children Against Mines Program (CHAMPS)!
Watch the video below to hear the story of Katy Trahan, a CHAMPS alumna and advocate for mine action and victims' assistance. In 2008, Katy and other members of her Girl Scout Troop in Vermont successfully raised money to sponsor their own Mine Detection Dog, Champlain! Learn how they did it in Katy's video below.
THANK YOU to all our private donors and to the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense!
Your generous support enables MLI to provide live saving assistance to thousands across the globe.
MDD Champlain and Katy's Mother, Chandelle, in Lebanon, 2012
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