The problematic issues of humanitarian demining in Ukraine were discussed during a coordination meeting chaired by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and attended by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Economy and the State Emergency Service.
"Due to the russian aggression, Ukraine is currently one of the most mine- and shell-polluted countries in the world. Humanitarian demining is the first stage in the restoration of the de-occupied territories, which makes it possible to start rebuilding housing and critical infrastructure. The need for demining is growing as the Ukrainian territories are liberated," the Prime Minister noted.
According to the State Emergency Service, communities in 10 regions of Ukraine are in the greatest need of demining today. About 30% of the country's total area is contaminated. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, since the beginning of the russian aggression, the SES and the National Police have removed about 500,000 shells and explosives.
On the outcome of the meeting, it was decided to establish a state institution, the Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Demining, which will serve as a secretariat and analytical center to collect and summarize information on demining needs from the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Emergency Service, regional military administrations, partner countries and international organizations.
According to the Prime Minister, such an institution will improve coordination between all mine action actors. It will also make it possible to attract all possible resources - both internal and external - for demining purposes.
In addition, the meeting's participants were tasked with developing an operational procedure for establishing and maintaining a register of land clearance, accelerating the certification of foreign organizations working in this area, and developing technical regulations for mine action processes.
