Threats from explosive ordnance and mines are an expanding aspect of urgent humanitarian needs for Ukraine, says OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

KYIV/VIENNA, 4 April 2022 – International assistance to Ukraine is urgently needed to strengthen the country’s capacity in humanitarian demining and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education. This was the main message by Ambassador Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, today as he marked the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.  

Since 2014, the Co-ordinator has been assisting Ukraine develop a systemic response to explosive hazards in eastern Ukraine. This help has included the procurement of metal detectors, personal protection equipment, and training personnel from national mine action agencies.

“While our previous efforts and plans in this sphere remain relevant, the intensity and geographical scale of the current hostilities make it an imperative for the international community to provide expanded support in dealing with the threat of explosive ordnance and mines to people in Ukraine,” said Ambassador Villadsen.

“Many civilians couldn’t leave the areas of armed violence and now have to survive in an extremely dangerous environment. As military fronts are moving, displaced people feel tempted to return to affected areas they consider to be safe. Mines and unexploded and abandoned ordnance are now a widespread threat to all of them,” he added.

In response to today’s urgent needs, the Co-ordinator created and is sharing public awareness materials on explosive ordnance risks to alert Ukrainians of the threat through its website and Facebook page. The Co-ordinator is also working to expedite the planned delivery of new humanitarian demining equipment.