Toamasina Port and Airport: Deployment of the KIRA Promotion Announced

Malagasy Customs is developing an approach based on the integration of three complementary components: human resources, animal capabilities, and technological tools.

This strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness of border control operations. The system operates through a structured chain of operations. Technological equipment, such as scanners and advanced analysis systems, allows for more targeted inspections. Canine teams, equipped with specialized dogs, provide targeted support for field checks. Analysis and decisions are then made based on the results obtained.

A concrete example of this approach is the launch of the KIRA Promotion, the second cohort trained within the Customs Canine Brigade. Comprised of seven dog-handler pairs, this unit was fully trained in Madagascar by training officers from the first cohort.

This skills transfer contributes to the gradual empowerment of operational services and the promotion of local expertise. The deployment of this program is planned in key locations across the country, notably at the port and airport of Toamasina.

“The interaction between humans, animals, and technology illustrates an evolution in customs practices toward greater coordination of resources,” declared Lainkana Zafivanona Ernest, Director General of the administration, at the launch ceremony. “This dynamic allows us to modernize working methods and ensure surveillance adapted to the realities on the ground,” he added.