Italy has announced a new financial contribution to support humanitarian demining initiatives in Ukraine. An agreement worth 1.5 million euros was officially signed today together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine. The main beneficiary of the agreement will be Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, and its goal is to strengthen the country’s Mine Action Program, which is vital for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction.
The official signing, held in Kyiv with the participation of Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, highlighted the urgent need for continued international support to address the widespread contamination of Ukrainian territory with explosive remnants of war.
“Humanitarian demining is the zero stage of Ukraine’s economic recovery and a humanitarian necessity. This agreement is important for implementing the National Mine Action Strategy and will enable projects to clear agricultural land, develop infrastructure, restore economic activity in deoccupied territories, and support the return of citizens to their homes. The 1.5 million euro agreement demonstrates the strength of international partnership, which is critically important for our country’s resilience,” said Yulia Svyrydenko.
It is estimated that about 138,500 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory may be potentially contaminated with explosive remnants of war, posing a serious threat to civilians and significantly undermining economic stability.
“Italy is proud to support Ukraine in its efforts to clear contaminated land and waters. Italy’s contribution shows our unwavering support for Ukraine’s security and recovery. The allocated funding is vital for restoring livelihoods and a stable future for the country,” said Carlo Formosa, Italy’s Ambassador to Ukraine, during the signing.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, UNDP, in close partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy and the National Mine Action Authority, has supported the development and testing of advanced technologies for humanitarian demining. This includes the use of drones, remote sensors, and artificial intelligence systems to train models for detecting explosive remnants.
“The scale of mine contamination in Ukraine is unprecedented and requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. UNDP is extremely grateful to Italy for its generous support, which will enable us to apply innovative technologies, improve training, and expand land clearance operations, ultimately saving lives and accelerating Ukraine’s sustainable development,” said Haoliang Xu, UN Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Administrator of UNDP.
The additional funding will allow for the expansion of land release operations, improvement of information management systems, and support for specialized training programs for people with disabilities, veterans, and victims of explosive remnants of war.
