After their years of service in the field, our detection dogs are eventually retired. They are rehomed where they can enjoy their retirement to the fullest following their dedication to the mine action industry. Charlie and Korado are two detection dogs that retired in early 2020 and were adopted by their TDI colleagues. Follow their journey here about these two dogs who were born in the United Kingdom and have retired in Africa.

Every year, TDI take part in events to mark the International Day of Mine Awareness. This year, it was celebrated somewhat differently as a result of the ongoing pandemic. Despite this, our teams were innovative in coming up with solutions to continue raising awareness of landmines and UXO as safely as possible.

We wrap up the month of March by introducing Arek, our EORE Coordinator in South Sudan. Arek has been in the Mine Action industry for 20 years, initially beginning her career as a Community Liaison Officer. Despite facing difficulties when she began working in this industry due to being a woman, she persevered as she takes great pride in helping those affected by landmines and UXO. Read the full article to get a bit more insight on Arek’s role with TDI.

Throughout the month of March, we continue to focus on some of the hardworking women of TDI. Meet Betty, the Medic keeping her colleagues in South Sudan safe. Betty joined TDI in 2014 and has established herself as a determined member of her team. Her role has its challenges but she chooses “to remain focused and principled in order to survive among the multitudes of men” in this industry.

This month, we celebrated International Women’s Day and in honour of this day, we introduce you to some of the hardworking women of TDI. We start at the TDI headquarters and introduce you to Chipo, a working mother of three girls and our versatile Operations Assistant.

In recognition of the clearance efforts taking place, TDI was invited to attend the Miss Wau Beauty Pageant. This pageant was held to draw attention to the presence of explosive hazards in this South Sudanese state. While attending the pageant, TDI gave a safety briefing, presented by Ms. Winnie Better Paul.

Meet Magawa, the hardworking rat adopted by TDI Operations Manager, Roshan Christy. Nicknamed HeroRATS, African giant pouched rats are an integral part of mine action operations. These HeroRATS are operational in three different countries, including Cambodia; the world’s second most heavily mined county.

For almost six years, TDI has actively been clearing unexploded ordnance in the Central African Republic. In addition to clearance efforts, training and the provision of risk education to local communities is also conducted. Here, we take a brief look at six years of efforts in this heavily mined African country.

UN Day is celebrated annually on 24th October. TDI took part in the celebrations held in Abyei to mark this occasion, delivering risk education sessions to the gathering crowds in Abyei town. Amongst other activites, speeches and tree planting activities marked this 74th founding United Nations Day.

In 2016, TDI were awarded a contract to provide survey and clearance services in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fluid security situation in the country came with its challenges however, the TDI teams remained dedicated to their tasks whilst continuing to develop their skills. The project was completed in mid-2019.