470k hectares to be demined in 4 years

Among the key tasks for Ukraine during the war and in the extended post-conflict period is the crucial mission of demining and rehabilitating lands potentially contaminated by explosive devices. The ambitious objective is to restore 80% of such lands within a span of ten years.

This significant revelation comes from Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, as reported by “Ukrinform.”

“For lands designated for agricultural use, we have a separate plan approved by the government in March. According to this plan, we aim to survey and return 470,000 hectares, equivalent to 4,700 square kilometers, within four years. These lands are located in the Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions. We have already completed a quarter of the survey and rehabilitation plan, and we plan to update it as we are significantly ahead of the projected pace,” commented Yulia Svyrydenko.

Among the priority areas for survey and demining, she highlighted critical infrastructure and the inspection of Ukrainians’ homes, followed by agricultural lands, forests, and underwater demining.

“In recently reclaimed territories and critical infrastructure facilities, government agencies are expected to play a leading role. In cases where, for example, agriculturalists have the resources and willingness to commence survey and demining at their own expense, private operators can participate. To facilitate this, we are establishing a market with the opportunity to procure such services through transparent auctions. We are already putting this intention into action, with the first auction for the demining of a forested area scheduled for August,” stated Yulia Svyrydenko.

Yulia Svyrydenko mentioned that Ukraine currently has 14 certified operators, some of whom have extensive experience working abroad. Presently, there is no separate program for humanitarian demining in the state budget. Hence, partner resources are actively engaged.

“As indicated in the World Bank report, Ukraine will need over $37.5 billion for humanitarian demining purposes. We have already received confirmation from partners that we will secure nearly $244 million for humanitarian demining needs by the end of the year. Separately, in the United States, negotiations are ongoing to provide up to $84 million in support of a private operator who will operate in Ukraine,” added Yulia Svyrydenko.

This article discusses Ukraine’s critical task of demining and restoring lands contaminated by explosives after the war, with insights from Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. It highlights the government’s plans and international support for this significant undertaking.