UN and Qatar Foundation invest $10 million in demining and support for rural communities in Ukraine
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) are launching a $10 million program to support rural communities in Ukraine affected by mines and explosive remnants of war. The initiative will help restore land cultivation and agricultural production.
As reports the press service of the Ministry of Economy, the program is implemented by FAO in partnership with the UN World Food Program (WFP) and covers frontline regions in southern and eastern Ukraine. Assistance is planned to be provided to over 3,500 rural households and about 100 small farmers who, due to the danger of mines, could not safely cultivate their land plots and resume production.
The initiative provides comprehensive support: from clearing land from explosive objects to restoring agricultural production. FAO will be engaged in geospatial analysis, soil assessment and restoration of production, and WFP – technical survey and demining of territories. Such cooperation will ensure a safe and consistent process of returning land to full-fledged cultivation by communities.
Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Denys Bashlyk emphasized:
“For Ukraine, the issue of demining agricultural lands is closely related to the restoration of the economy and food security and is critically important for Ukraine. This program will not only return land to circulation, but will also provide long-term support to our farmers who overcome the challenges of war every day. Investments in demining and land rehabilitation are investments in the food security of the entire country and the resilience of rural communities”.
