Threat Reduction and Clearance of Mines in Conflict Affected Areas of Eastern Ukraine

This project aims to reduce the risk from mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) to the civilian population in government controlled areas of the Donbass region in Eastern Ukraine. Following the events of 2014 in Eastern Ukraine which saw areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts unilaterally declaring independence and attempting to cede from Ukraine a de facto ‘contact line’ emerged in the region. Ukrainian armed forces and separatists are now involved in exchanges of fire including conventional and rocket artillery mortars and small arms on a daily basis. Unexploded Ordnance and mines pose a threat to civilian populations. Project activities include: (1) providing risk awareness education survey and community liaison to define and prioritize the areas of most concern; (2) conducting hazard marking and clearance operations; and (3) building the capacity of the Ukrainian National Humanitarian Mine Action Authority and national explosive ordnance disposal and clearance teams.

The expected outcome for this project is reduced risk posed to civilians from explosive remnants of war through mine risk awareness education community liaison and hazard marking and clearance operations.