Hidden Dangers

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO MINE CLEARANCE IN UKRAINE

Mines and unexploded or abandoned ammunition are tragic features of modern warfare, from Cambodia to Colombia. The current conflict in Ukraine is no exception.
Since the invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been substantially mined and is now littered with explosive ordnance. According to local sources, up to a third of the country – an area roughly the size of Florida – may be contaminated with various types of devices. These not only endanger the lives of civilians, including relief workers, but also impede reconstruction, the resumption of agriculture and the return of displaced persons.

JTI FOUNDATION ALLOCATION

CHF 500,000

TIMELINE

AUGUST 2023 – JULY 2025

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER

FSD (FONDATION SUISSE DE DÉMINAGE)

JTI Foundation partner FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage) has been operating in Ukraine continuously since 2015. The current phase of its program is based in the provinces of Kharkiv and Chernihiv.
The program is taking a multi-facetted approach to the problems presented by mines and explosive remnants of war, with three key objectives:
• a high-level assessment of potentially mined areas of Kharkiv oblast;
• education of the civilian population on the dangers mines present;
• the clearance of mines from former battle-areas and critical urban infrastructure.
Over the two years of the program, FSD plan to deliver 38 reports on areas contaminated by mines, around 200 risk-education workshops for local non-combatants, and to clear 120,000 square meters of battle-area and other infrastructure.

It is expected that this combination of non-technical and technical (mine clearance) activities will achieve maximum benefit to local populations in the shortest possible time.