Ukraine: Supporting communities through demining and awareness
The ongoing war in Ukraine has significantly increased the need for humanitarian support, with explosive ordnance (EO) contamination being a major concern. With the Novo Nordisk Foundation's support, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been actively addressing these challenges by delivering Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) sessions and conducting demining operations alongside Non-Technical Surveys (NTS) in affected regions. These initiatives aim to create safer environments and build resilience within local communities.
The humanitarian needs in Ukraine have surged since the full-scale invasion. According to the Ukraine Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), 6.7 million individuals require mine action assistance, with eastern Ukraine being one of the most heavily affected regions. Contaminated areas disrupt lives and livelihoods, impacting farmers, children, and humanitarian workers alike.
In the villages of Ukraine’s south and east, mines and unexploded ordnance have transformed once-thriving communities into hazardous landscapes. Non-Technical Surveys (NTS) play a vital role in addressing these dangers by identifying contaminated areas and preparing them for clearance operations. As Maryna Havryliuk, an NTS Team Leader, explains: “Non-Technical Surveys involve various methods of collecting information to determine whether an area is contaminated and where dangerous objects are located. This helps us understand the types of mines, shells, or other explosive objects present and their distribution.”
NTS teams in Mykolaiv and Kherson Oblasts have made significant progress under the NNF project, having identified 30 hazardous areas covering a total of 1,554,555 square metres. Of these, 16 hazardous areas are located in Bilozersk hromada, Kherson Oblast, while the remaining 14 are in Bereznehuvate and Halytsynove hromadas, Mykolaiv Oblast. Each discovery is a stark reminder of the war’s lasting impact but also represents a crucial step towards bringing back safety and hope for affected communities.
In Kharkiv Oblast, demining teams work methodically, often confronting unexpected obstacles. At a site in Momotove, underground utilities and mineral-rich soil interfere with equipment, slowing progress. Yet, step by step, every sweep of the detector and every careful excavation brings them closer to making the land safe again.
In Mykolaiv Oblast, fields near small villages are also being reclaimed. The team employs a mix of techniques to methodically clear the land. These once-dangerous areas are gradually being returned to the people who depend on them for their livelihoods.
“The system is built in such a way that the risks are minimised,” emphasises deminer Hennadii, addressing those hesitant to join clearance teams. He used to run a successful business in Kharkiv, but everything changed with the full-scale invasion. When he saw the outskirts of the city being bombed from his apartment window, he and his family decided to leave.
After trying various jobs — from loader to motor oil salesman — he joined DRC’s demining team in 2023.
“I’ve been working here for two years now. On one of our last sites, our team found 22 submunitions — small projectiles packed into a larger rocket, like a school poster tube with ribbons. On another site, I uncovered an aircraft missile,” he shares.
Since September 2024, 14,2 hectares of land have been cleared across Mykolaiv and Kharkiv Oblasts, marking tangible progress in creating safer environments for local communities.
While deminers work to clear the land, EORE facilitators equip individuals with essential knowledge to recognise and avoid explosive ordnance. These sessions are vital in high-risk areas, where daily life is overshadowed by the presence of EO.
EORE sessions, which have reached over 5,400 people across offline and online platforms, take place in schools, community centres, and villages, catering to diverse groups such as children, farmers, and humanitarian workers. For children, these sessions incorporate interactive storytelling, while adults receive practical guidance on identifying hazards and reporting them safely.
“In high-risk areas like Kherson, delivering EORE is both challenging and essential,” explains Danylo Steshenko, a DRC EORE Supervisor. “When in-person sessions are unsafe, we adapt with online alternatives, though power outages often disrupt our plans. During air alerts, our facilitators switch to rapid sessions, guiding participants to safety in shelters.”
Despite facing operational constraints and ongoing risks, the support of the NNF has helped the DRC ensure safety and education for communities in Ukraine.
