Prioritization in humanitarian demining: the UK and Switzerland allocate funds for a pilot project

Prioritisation in humanitarian demining: Great Britain and Switzerland allocate half a million dollars for the project. The funds will be directed to developing a prioritisation system that determines which territories should be demined first.

"Prioritisation is a key element of efficient demining — we cannot clear everything at once, so we need a system that tells us where to direct limited resources for maximum impact. Great Britain and Switzerland are supporting us in developing such a system," said Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.

The project will develop criteria and methodologies for prioritising territories for clearance based on several factors: threat to human life, economic potential of the land, the needs of communities, and infrastructure requirements.

"The prioritisation system is based on a risk-based approach and socio-economic analysis. It should answer the question: where will demining bring the greatest benefit to people and the economy?" explained the project lead.

The project is being implemented in partnership with the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), which has extensive experience in developing prioritisation methodologies in other mine-affected countries.

The funding from Great Britain and Switzerland will be used for research, development of analytical tools, training of specialists, and piloting the system in several regions of Ukraine.

"Effective prioritisation can significantly accelerate the return of territories to productive use. Instead of clearing randomly, we direct resources where they are most needed," emphasised the Deputy Minister.