Humanitarian demining: June 2024 results

The Cabinet of Ministers has changed the procedure for utilizing money for humanitarian demining needs collected in the accounts of the Ministry of Economy through the United24 platform. Thanks to the changes adopted on September 3, these funds can now be used to purchase not only demining equipment but also its components, remote detection solutions for explosive ordnance, and materials and equipment required for the certification of demining machines.

"The adopted changes to the procedure give us the opportunity to expand both what we can buy for humanitarian demining needs and the number of recipients of machinery and equipment. The updated procedure allows purchasing machinery and equipment for government mine action operators, who participate very actively in land demining," said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

One of the innovations of the procedure is that the Ministry of Economy, if necessary, can initiate targeted fundraising through the United24 platform. For this purpose, a list of materials and equipment planned for purchase with the collected money is formed. Information about the needs is published on the websites of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the United24 web portal.

Additionally, funds collected on the platform for humanitarian demining needs can be spent to purchase materials and equipment for the certification of mechanized demining machines. Currently, such certification is only conducted by the State Scientific Research Institute of Testing and Certification.

"An increasing amount of demining equipment is being localized in Ukraine, and domestic designs of demining machines are emerging. Concurrently, the direction of remote search for mines and explosive ordnance is developing. And all these developments must pass State Institute certification. Therefore, it is logical on our part to strengthen the Institute's capability to perform its work qualitatively and quickly," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi.

As of late August, 33.4 million hryvnias collected via the United24 platform remained on the accounts of the Ministry of Economy. Overall, more than 170 million hryvnias have been collected over the entire period. These funds were used to purchase a heavy pyrotechnic vehicle for the State Emergency Service and conduct a tender for purchasing two tractors. The State Special Transport Service received purchased "Trembita" metal detectors, 400 protective visors and aprons, and a DOK-ING MV-10 heavy demining machine purchased through co-financing.

As a reminder, the issue of humanitarian demining is coordinated by the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine — Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko. The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine ensures interaction with central executive authorities on mine action issues regarding humanitarian demining.