Over dit project

Organisatienaam

Apopo vzw

Organisatiebeschrijving

APOPO trains detection rats to enhance life-saving actions. APOPO is a social enterprise that researches, develops, and deploys detection rat technology for humanitarian purposes. APOPO is a registered charity in Belgium and is headquartered in Tanzania.
APOPO currently employs 123 staff, of which the Majority Tanzanian and Mozambican staff
APOPO's vision is to develop appropriate detection technologies, to empower vulnerable communities. This vision is rooted in a belief that finding local solutions for local problems removes the structural barriers to development.
APOPO's mission is to become the centre of excellence in detection rat technologies, to enhance the impact of life-saving actions.
APOPO utilizes a local resource, the African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) for its detection technology. Using these rats as detectors is advantageous due to their efficiency in this role, and their acute sense of smell. Other benefits include their low cost for husbandry & maintenance, ease of transport and their wide availability. It has also been shown that once trained, they can reliably carry out repetitive tasks. Moreover, it is an appropriate tool since it does not depend on high tech equipment or highly skilled labour, increasing its accessibility in the countries of operation.
APOPO was initiated in response to the global landmine problem. In the mid 1990s it was well recognized that most mine-clearance techniques in use were slow and expensive. The humanitarian community called for an efficient method for the detection of landmines and un-exploded ordnance (UXO) in order to facilitate the repatriation of refugees and distribution of emergency aid, thereby creating the basic conditions for development in a mine-free environment.
In response to this call an analysis of the landmine problem was made with a special focus on sub-Sahara Africa, which is more affected by landmines than any other region in the world. It became clear that landmines pose a structural barrier to any development. Moreover, vulnerable communities remained dependent on imported expertise to address the complex problems of landmine detection and clearance of suspected areas.
The idea of using rodents for mine detection was the outcome of a creative process, in which the goal was set to find an appropriate detector sustainable within the African environment, and enabling empowerment of African communities to reduce dependency on foreign aid. Evidence of olfactory discrimination of explosives by lab rats was found in American scientific publications from the 1970s. APOPO found a suitable rodent species in the Giant African Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus), which is omnipresent in sub-Saharan Africa, has a long life span, and is resilient to most tropical diseases.
APOPO set out to develop an appropriate detection rat technology, based around the Giant African Pouched Rat. The results of a two-year initial research phase strengthened APOPO reasoning to use this species for humanitarian detection tasks in Africa. A group of wild rats were captured and put through a captive breeding program. They were domesticated, and a humane training protocol was developed based on the principles of positive behaviour reinforcement. Once proof of principle was achieved, APOPO transferred the project to Tanzania, to develop the technology together with the African partners in the cultural context the technology would be used in.

History:
1997
The DGOS Belgian Directorate for International Co-operation (DGIS) provided the initial financial support for a feasibility study, which was implemented in a temporary lab in Belgium.
1998
APOPO vzw was registered under the Belgian law as a non-commercial agency. APOPO tried out several breeding methods and training protocols in parallel approaches on different rodent species. One group of laboratory rats was trained to detect explosive samples by pressing levers from within a caged set-up; another group was taught to detect TNT samples hidden in a sandbox. APOPO also started to breed and socialize African Giant Pouched Rats imported from Tanzania and developed potential concepts for the use of these animals in mine-clearance.
2000
Promising results triggered the transfer of APOPO's operational base to Africa. This allowed training and testing of the animals in near-to-real conditions, and further product development in the cultural context. During the first half of 2000, APOPO established its premises and training area at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), in Morogoro, Tanzania. The choice of this location was a result of APOPO's collaboration with the Department of Biology of the University of Antwerp (UA), which had a long co-operation with SUA in the field of rodent research. With logistical support from the Tanzanian Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF), APOPO then established extensive training and test minefields. The project maintained its Belgian liaison office at the University of Antwerp.
2001
External evaluation by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) was performed at the test and training fields at the Sokoine University of Agriculture. The feedback helped to identify areas of growth, and APOPO systematically improved its detection methodology using rats. As a result of the evaluation and efficacy of the programme GICHD also contracted APOPO to conduct research on Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST).
2003
APOPO was ready for its first field testing in a real demining scenario, and set up an operation in Mozambique. The first tests on a real mine field showed good results, which were published in the Journal for Mine Action, Issue 9.2 February 2006 (PDF file 200kb). 

APOPO won the World Bank Development Marketplace Global Competition, which provided seeding capital for the Tuberculosis research program. (Trained Rats Sniff out TB, Land Mines in Tanzania & Rats Sniff Out TB)
2004
The first group of 11 rats passed official licensing tests according to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) under supervision of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the National Institute for Demining in Mozambique (IND). The IND granted APOPO's Mine Detection Rats operational accreditation. 

Ceramic artist, Anita Huybens, created 1000 ceramic poppies for display at a historical site in Belgium. This 'klaprozen project' was the start of the most inspiring and successful fundraising campaign for APOPO.
2005
APOPO started the HeroRAT campaign and began building a citizen-based support mechanism through the HeroRAT adoption program.
2006
APOPO started a fully integrated mine-clearance operation in Mozambique, accredited by the National Institute for Demining in Mozambique (IND). This includes manual deminers, Mine Detection Rats and a mechanical capacity for ground preparation. 

The Heads of State of the 11 Great Lakes Region Countries (ICGLR) signed a pact for security, stability and development in the region. APOPO was endorsed by the ICGLR as the lead agency and regional capacity for Mine Action in the Great Lakes Region.
2007
APOPO is endorsed by ASHOKA, innovators for the public. 

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship recognizes APOPO as an outstanding social enterprise, which provides access to the networks of the World Economic Forum.
2008
APOPO Mine Action Program is tasked by the National Institute for Demining in Mozambique (IND) as the sole operators for Gaza province, Mozambique. 

APOPO consolidates its strategic plan. 

APOPO provides proof of principle to utilize trained rats for the detection of pulmonary TB in human sputum. A poster is presented at the IUATLD conference in Paris, and a manuscript is accepted for publication in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
2009
HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium commits to the honorary presidency of APOPO. 

APOPO is awarded the prestigious Skoll Award for social entrepreneurship at the Skoll World Forum in Oxford.

Legale status

Vereninging zonder Winstoogmerk en NGO
Association number 16453/98
Antwerp Legal Person’s Register: 0464.019.195

Website

http://www.apopo.org

Partner organisaties

Antwerp University (UA)
The Antwerp University, Department of Evolutionary Biology, is the cradle of APOPO. UA has been the main academic partner since the inception of the research project and APOPO's main supporting partner with regards to rodent biology and logistic support. UA is hosting APOPO's liaison office at the 'Middelheim' campus in Belgium. The founding board members of APOPO are also related to the University of Antwerp. UA financed the TB pilot study, as well as a portion of the infrastructure.

ASHOKA Innovators for the Public
ASHOKA is a citizen-based organization, fostering systemic social change, through the selection and support of social entrepreneurs whose models are ground breaking, replicable and scalable. Through it's "everyone's a changemaker" vision, ASHOKA is a key player in the emergence and healthy development of social entrepreneurship across society. ASHOKA supports APOPO through its network and has awarded founder, Bart Weetjens, with an Ashoka fellowship.

Belgian Government
The Belgian Directorate General for International Co-operation (DGIS) has funded the initial R&D phase of APOPO, during the period 1998 - 2003. Their support has been crucial in the development of the new technology. The Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues supporting APOPO's core activities and implementation in Mozambique.

Flemish Community
The Flemish Community has been funding APOPO's Mine Action Program in Mozambique since February 2003. In 2009 the Flemish Government committed a further €1.2 million to the program, towards the clearance of all known mined areas in the Mozambican province of Gaza.

Fundacion Roviralta
Created in 1959 by two brothers, D. Manuel and D. José María Roviralta, Fundacion Roviralta seeks to support education and scientific investigation, medical investigation, culture and art. Fundacion Roviralta provided funds to purchase a vehicle for the transportation of sputum samples from Dar es Salaam to APOPO's headquarters in Morogoro.

Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)
The GICHD has funded several studies, focusing on the development of Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST). Apart from their financial support, APOPO has greatly benefited from operational support and the coordination effort of the GICHD in the field of REST and animal detection. The GICHD carried out an evaluation of APOPO in 2001, and endorsed APOPO in Tanzania to be the gravity point for all REST-related research. The GICHD is mandated by United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to draft the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) which include those for animal detection. The GICHD also supervised the first official accreditation tests for rats in cooperation with the National Demining Institute of Mozambique (IND).

Global Giving
Global Giving connects donors with community-based projects that need support. Global Giving helps projects of all sizes to receive donations of all sizes, via the online giving and information exchange facility. Global giving features APOPO's HeroRats among its projects.

Imperial
Under their corporate responsibility program, the UK Company Imperial supported Mine Detection Rat training activities with a 3 year grant during the period 2007-2009.

King Baudouin Foundation
The King Baudouin Foundation facilitates tax-effective giving to APOPO in Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the USA. The New York branch of the King Baudouin Foundation provides 501/c3 status to APOPO in the United States, through the donor advised fund.

Klaprozen voor Vrede/Poppies for peace
In 2004 a Flemish ceramic artist, Mrs Anita Huybens, designed, produced, exhibited and sold 1000 ceramic poppies for the benefit of APOPO. Through Anita's charisma, the "klaprozen" project evolved into a truly amazing and artistic fundraising campaign. This work is continued by Anita's husband Laurent Thys, and a large group of volunteers, after Anita passed away in September 2008.

LGT Venture Philanthropy
The objective of LGT Venture Philanthropy is to raise the sustainable quality of life of the less advantaged people in the developing world. They select and support organizations that share this objective. The bulk of their support goes toward the overarching themes of: alleviation of human suffering, education, and development of sustainable livelihoods. LGT Venture Philanthropy is endowed through the Liechtenstein Princely Family and supports APOPO through providing capacity building support of a fellow who works on key tasks designated by APOPO.

Marie & Alain Philippson Foundation
The Philippson Foundation supports APOPO through a capacity-building grant and through technical management consulting. The Philippson Foundation facilitated APOPO's strategic planning, and provides technical assistance in partnership with the US based consulting firm, Virtue Ventures.

Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology, Berlin
APOPO is working with the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, researching the fundamental scientific aspects in scent detection of pulmonary tuberculosis. A PhD study has been established, investigating the volatile organic compounds characterizing tuberculosis. Through this co-operation with Max Planck Institute, APOPO furthers the basic science on scent detection of pathogens, which also contributes to other diagnostic R&D, like the development of electronic noses.

National Institutes for Health, USA
APOPO's TB research is supported in part by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA)
NPA is one of the biggest demining Non Governmental Organisations worldwide, and has developed one of the best Mine Detection Dog capacities. APOPO hosts NPA dog REST research project in Morogoro.

Province of Antwerp
The Province of Antwerp has supported APOPO with a yearly grant since 1999.

SCHWAB Foundation for social entrepreneurship
The Schwab Foundation for social entrepreneurship is the private foundation of Klaus and Hilde Schwab, the founders of the World Economic Forum. The Schwab Foundation supports outstanding social enterprises by providing access to global business, political, media and thought leaders at the World Economic Forum. In 2008, APOPO won the Schwab Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Skoll Foundation
The Skoll Foundation's mission is to advance systemic change to benefit communities around the world by investing in, connecting and celebrating social entrepreneurs. APOPO won the 2009 Skoll Award for social entrepreneurship, which provided a substantial capacity building grant, helping APOPO to become a sustainable social enterprise.

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA)
APOPO's central research and training facilities are based at SUA in Morogoro, Tanzania. In collaboration with the University of Antwerp, SUA established the foremost African research centre on rodent biology, the Pest Management Centre. APOPO operates under this governmental umbrella and greatly benefits from the institutional support and infrastructure at the University.

Stop TB partnership
The Stop TB partnership is a worldwide network, hosted by the WHO, in the fight against the spread of Tuberculosis. APOPO is involved with the Stop TB partnership on an information-exchange level.

The Central Tuberculosis Research Laboratory (CTRL) at Muhimbilli
The CTRL, headed by Dr. G. S. Mfinanga at Muhimbili Academic Hospital in Dar Es Salaam, functions as a reference lab for the TB tests. CTRL double-checks the sputum samples coming in from peripheral DOTS-centres, by means of cultures and Fluorescent Microscopy. This provides a reference standard for evaluating diagnostic performances of APOPO's trained rats.

The International Conference for the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR)
In December 2006, the Heads of State of the 11 African Great Lakes Region countries signed a pact on security, stability and development in the region. Under the program of action for joint security management of common borders, APOPO is identified as lead agency for Mine Action in the Great Lakes Region.

The National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR)
NIMR is Tanzania's main national research institution for tuberculosis. The NIMR plays an important role in the APOPO TB project. NIMR helps in the co-ordination of sample collection from DOTS centres in Dar Es Salaam, and is involved in the monitoring and evaluation of the project.

The National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTLP)
NTLP manages the National TB program through the DOTS-centres in Tanzania. APOPO processes around 500 samples every week, provided by the NTLP, through four participating DOTS-centres in Dar Es Salaam and Morogoro.

The Tanzanian Peoples Defence Force (TPDF)
The TPDF facilitates the presence of the test minefield and have supplied APOPO with the necessary landmines and explosive training targets. Their generous logistic support has been crucial in the realization of the training and testing facilities. Established on 24 hectares of land, with 1553 inactivated and buried landmines of 14 different types, Tanzania features the most varied landmine testing facility in the African Great Lakes Region.

United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
The UNDP is the United Nation's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. In 2009, APOPO received funding from the UNDP towards mine-clearance operations in Gaza Province, Mozambique.

World Bank - Development Marketplace
The APOPO TB program won the 'Development Marketplace' Global Competition in 2003, which provided the initial capital to support the tuberculosis detection project. The WB Development Marketplace also supported APOPO with technical assistance in the form of a strategic planning consultancy.