Agricultural land demining achievements: over 50,000 hectares cleared since program launch

A mine action coordination centre has started operating in Kharkiv region. The centre is designed to coordinate the activities of all mine action operators working in the region and ensure the efficient distribution of resources.

"Kharkiv region is one of the most mine-contaminated regions of Ukraine. The coordination centre will enable the more efficient management of demining operations — distribute tasks among operators, avoid duplication, and concentrate resources where they are most needed," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.

The centre operates in close cooperation with the regional military administration, the Centre for Humanitarian Demining, and international organisations. Its team includes coordination officers, data analysts, and liaison specialists.

"The coordination centre works as a hub that brings together all participants in mine action in the region — from government agencies to international operators. This allows for a unified operational picture and quick response to emerging needs," explained the centre's head.

Among the centre's tasks: maintaining and updating the operational map of contamination, coordinating operators' work plans, distributing requests for demining, and liaising with communities and farmers who need their land cleared.

"The creation of regional coordination centres is an important element of our plan to scale up mine action capacity. We plan to open similar centres in other regions with high levels of contamination," noted the Deputy Minister.

The centre was created with the support of international partners who provided equipment, training for staff, and methodological assistance. The experience of other mine-affected countries where similar coordination structures have proven effective was taken into account.