The Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA) has successfully completed a year-long project in partnership with the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF). This initiative was designed to enhance safety and help restore life in communities affected by explosive hazards. The project focused on three primary areas: educating the public on the risks associated with mines and unexploded ordnance, providing support to victims of these hazards, and conducting non-technical surveys of potentially contaminated areas.
The Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA) has trained 19,240 adults and children in mine safety across eight Ukrainian regions—Mykolaiv, Kyiv, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Kharkiv, Cherkasy, and Poltava—surpassing its target by 7%. According to the UDA’s press office, participants gained crucial knowledge on how to safely handle situations involving mines and protect themselves from explosive hazards.
As part of its second area of focus, the Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA) provided financial assistance to 166 individuals affected by landmines across Ukraine, exceeding their target by 66%. This support covered urgent needs, including medical expenses, household essentials, and home repairs. For example, one man from the Kherson region used the funds to repair his tractor, allowing him to resume work more quickly. The UDA continues to accept applications for assistance, which can be submitted through their official website.
During the project, specialists conducted non-technical surveys over an area exceeding 78 million square meters, surpassing the target by an impressive 680%! Non-technical survey is the first stage of humanitarian demining, enabling a safe assessment of areas potentially contaminated with explosive remnants. Deminers gathered information from local residents and authorities about the surveyed area to determine the presence or absence of explosive hazards. Following this, detailed reports were compiled and submitted to the Mine Action Center. In total, 59 reports were prepared, exceeding the initial target by 18%.
The Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Deminers Association, Tymur Pistryuha, highlighted the unique, comprehensive approach of this project in supporting communities affected by the war. “We are not only making territories safe but also building essential knowledge about mine safety and helping people rebuild their lives,” he said. “I am sincerely grateful to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation for their active support. Our cooperation has continued since 2021 and encompasses numerous initiatives that enable us to respond effectively to the challenges facing Ukraine.”
The reconstruction of the country is impossible without systematic measures in mine action. The Ukrainian Deminers Association plays a crucial role in this effort, working on demining territories and educating the public, which helps communities return to normal life.
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