Ukrainian demining operators have identified critical needs in terms of equipment and funding
Ukrainian demining operators are in dire need of specialised equipment to accelerate humanitarian demining operations. This is according to the results of a survey conducted by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining and presented during a localisation workshop held on 3 February in Kyiv.
Nineteen Ukrainian operators, mainly commercial ones, took part in the survey. The centre's experts conducted more than 20 in-depth interviews, analysed more than 500 documents and assessed 12 areas of operator activity, including operational capabilities, risk management, financing and interaction with donors.
According to the results of the study, operators most often cited demining machines as a key equipment need. Twelve of the 19 survey participants indicated this need. This was followed by vehicles, which are needed by nine operators, wide-format metal detectors, which are needed by six companies, and multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles, also mentioned by six operators.
In terms of funding sources, most mine action operators rely on their own basic resources. This was reported by 9 out of 19 participants. Another 7 operators finance their activities by charging for demining services, and 5 receive donor support. Financial assistance from related parties was mentioned less frequently, with 4 operators mentioning it, and credit funds were used by only 3 companies.
Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Ihor Bezkaravayny noted that Ukrainian companies are often the first to implement new technological approaches in the field of demining. According to him, establishing direct cooperation between Ukrainian operators and international donors provides access to the necessary resources and at the same time allows partners to invest effectively in humanitarian demining.
Based on the survey results, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining has planned at least two specialised training sessions for Ukrainian operators this year. A training session on grant management is planned for May, and a training session on operational processes is planned for June. The detailed programme and dates of the events will be announced later.
