United Methodists Work on Land Mine Removal in Mozambique

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   STAMFORD, Conn. – Improved methods of land mine detection, including the use of specially trained dogs, will be part of a demining project in Mozambique supported by the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

   The new methods are far superior to the painstaking and dangerous work required with the use of metal detectors, according to the Rev. Paul Dirdak, chief executive of the board's United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Dirdak, who made a site visit to Mozambique in March, reported to board directors at their April 23-26 spring meeting.

   At its annual meeting last October, the board committed $1 million to removing land mines in the African country. The project is proceeding in cooperation with the Accelerated Demining Program (ADP), a national effort run by the Mozambique government and the United Nations Development Programme.

   The Board of Global Ministries will cover the cost of one or more Mine Detection Dog teams of two dogs each, which are trained in Texas. The estimated cost is $25,000 per dog. Dogs currently used by ADP are provided by the U.S. government as part of an umbrella contract with the U.N. agency.

   No dogs have been lost to the mines, and they are treated immediately for cuts, abrasions, infections or parasites. The dog is trained to smell the outgassing of the mine's explosive and will point to it without stepping on it, Dirdak said.

   The Mine Tech Agri Flail efficiently exposes land mines. One project this year will be on the Juletene Methodist Mission property in Mozambique.

   The dog teams work with a machine called the Mine Tech Agri Flail, which is more efficient than a bulldozer or metal detector in exposing land mines on the ground. Made in England and provided in Africa by Mine Tech of Zimbabwe, the flail's engine and driver's compartment are protected by armor. The dogs, which have their own veterinary paramedics, inspect areas cleared by the flail for mines.

   The board will fund two months of a trial of the machine being conducted by ADP. "This machine will reduce a project that otherwise would have taken 10 months to a two-month project," Dirdak said. "It's a tremendous advantage."

   ADP hopes to make better headway in clearing Mozambique of mines using a combination of the flail, dog teams and its own human staff of 500 people. Every platoon of 32 people has two paramedics, and those with dogs have veterinary paramedics as well. The organization also has its own pharmacy, surgeons, evacuation vehicles and paramedic training. Injured staff members retain their jobs and are trained in communications or computer applications.

   The Board of Global Ministries will cover the cost of one or more Mine Detection Dog teams of two dogs each.

   ADP is scheduled to clear land mines this year from the Juletene Methodist Mission property in the Distrito De Zavala, and the Board of Global Ministries will support the United Methodist Church of Mozambique in establishing a secondary school on that property. Currently, children in the village must walk to a school eight kilometers away. The two United Methodist bodies will support other village development projects once specific regions have been demined.

   People wishing to support the land mine removal efforts in Mozambique and other countries can make contributions to UMCOR Advance #982575, "Landmine Removal, World." Donations can be dropped in church collection plates or mailed to UMCOR at 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115.

Photo Credits: UMCOR, GBGM, Mozambique 2001

More Information:

• Landmines!
  Background and stories for children, youth, and adults from UMCOR
• Landmines Information, New World Outlook Magazine
• United Methodist Committee on Relief