Italy announced a new financial contribution to support humanitarian demining in Ukraine. It was official in Kyiv signed agreement between Italy and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine in the amount of 1.5 million euros. The main beneficiary is the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen the Mine Action Program, which is key to the country’s further recovery.
The signing took place with the participation of the First Deputy Prime Minister – the Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyridenko, who emphasized the importance of international support in the fight against large-scale mine pollution.
“Humanitarian demining is the zero stage of the economic recovery of Ukraine and a humanitarian necessity. The concluded agreement is important for the implementation of the National Mine Action Strategy and will allow the implementation of projects on clearing agricultural land, developing infrastructure, restoring economic activity in the de-occupied territories and promoting the return of citizens to their homes. The concluded agreement for 1.5 million euros demonstrates the power of international partnership, which is critically important for the stability of our state.”, – noted Yuliya Svyridenko.
According to available estimates, approximately 138,500 square kilometers of the territory of Ukraine may be potentially contaminated with explosive objects, which poses a great threat to the population and hinders economic development.
“Italy is proud to support Ukraine in its efforts to clear land and water areas. Italy’s contribution demonstrates our unwavering support for the security and recovery of Ukraine. The allocated funding is vital for restoring the country’s livability and a stable future.” – emphasized the Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine Carlo Formosa.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, UNDP has been cooperating with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the National Mine Action Authority on the implementation of the latest technologies in the field of demining, in particular with the use of drones, remote sensors and artificial intelligence systems to detect explosive objects.
“The scale of mine contamination in Ukraine is unprecedented and requires a comprehensive and coordinated response. UNDP is extremely grateful to Italy for its generous support, which will allow us to apply innovative technologies, improve training and expand area clearance operations, ultimately saving lives and accelerating the sustainable development of Ukraine.” – said Haoliang Xu, Deputy Secretary General of the UN.
