HI tests mine search drones in Northern Chad | © John Fardoulis/HI
In Faya-Largeau (North Chad), HI has begun testing drones to detect mines and build up a detailed picture of what’s on the ground - a revolution in mine clearance practice. HI’s project manager Xavier Depreytere explains more.
HI tests mine search drones in Northern Chad | © John Fardoulis/HI
The first tests took place in January, in the desert south of Faya, Chad, an area heavily contaminated by the conflict with Libya in the 1980s. The drone flies over vast areas in record time: 300 hectares in two hours! This represents a considerable time-saving for mine detection teams.
Equipped with a camera, the drone gives a detailed picture of what’s on the ground, along with a set of data, including geolocation coordinates.
What is the optimal height for a drone? What type of drone should we use? What data is useful to mine clearance experts? These are the sorts of questions we ask in order to make the best use of them.
During the initial tests, the drone took a photo of the terrain every two meters. When assembled, they provide a highly detailed map.
From 5th to 7th February 2019, mine clearance experts will gather in Geneva for the annual mine action meeting organised by the United Nations. HI will be present to talk with professionals about innovative new mine clearance methods and draw attention to the organisation’s current testing programme.
A key topic will also be weapons clearance methods for improvised explosive devices - a major challenge in modern demining.
Since the fall of the Assad regime, many Syrian refugees are returning, exposed to the unexploded ordnance contaminating Syria. Humanity & Inclusion runs a prevention campaign on the border with Turkey.
Over the past few days, fighting has intensified in North Kivu and spread to the city of Goma. Two million civilians are trapped in an acute humanitarian crisis.
There is massive contamination in Ukraine as a consequence of the armed conflict that began in 2014 and intensified after Russia's full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
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ABOUT US
Humanity & Inclusion UK
Romero House,
55 Westminster Bridge Road,
London
SE1 7JB
UK registered charity no. 1082565
MORE INFORMATION
SEARCH