Two grants totalling 4.3 million Swiss Francs (£3.8 million) from The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the If! Foundation (IF) are to fund the creation of new demining teams, including at least one all-female team, and provide mechanical clearance to make land safe in de-occupied Ukraine.
The work of the all-female mine clearance team will involve confirming hazardous areas, placing safety signs to indicate dangerous land, and manually clearing the land from explosive remnants of war (ERW). This co-funded project will run for three years, ensuring sustainability and longevity to the vital work being carried out by MAG in Ukraine.
The provision of a DIGGER D-250 machine will enhance the efficiency with which land can be prepared for clearance or survey. Machines produced by DIGGER have successfully cleared land in more than 16 countries, under the most extreme conditions. Two powerful cooling systems allow the uninterrupted operation of DIGGER D-250 at temperatures ranging from -20 to 50 °C.
During the second year of the project a second team will be deployed. The recruitment of this team will be targeted towards people from vulnerable communities such as People with Disabilities (PwD) and veterans who are currently under-represented in the job market and therefore at greater risk of socio-economic exclusion.
MAG Ukraine deminer
The project will have a broader impact that will lead to improved economic activities and promote development opportunities through collaboration with an existing project between the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO). The project will also seek to ensure that gender-responsive community engagement in mine action is achieved over the lifetime of the project and that women’s voices (and others underrepresented in mine action) are amplified.
In Ukraine, large areas of agricultural land are littered with explosive ordnance, depriving farmers of their livelihoods, communities of food, and putting the lives of workers at risk. 12% of all fatalities from landmines and other explosive items involve tractor drivers. MAG has chosen to focus our operations in Ukraine on the areas of greatest need and where we can best mitigate the effects of the ongoing war.
The presence of landmines and other explosive items puts not only the lives and livelihoods of people in Ukraine at risk, but also hinders access to transport routes. This prevents humanitarian organisations from being able to deliver life-saving materials such as food, medicine and shelter to people living in affected areas. It is now estimated that around 14.6 million people – almost half of the population still living in Ukraine – are in need of humanitarian assistance.
Beyond the initial employment of our female demining team, the funding will support targeted activities to improve women’s participation in the mine action sector. This will include a dedicated retention evaluation for female staff, and follow-up recommendations to ensure we are delivering mine action work that is gender-sensitive and encourages improved participation and inclusion.
In addition, we will continue to raise awareness of female deminers through our ‘Female Lens’ project. This global effort features a group of renowned female photographers who are documenting MAG’s work in five countries. In Ukraine, we will continue to work closely with Ukrainian photographer and 2024 World Press Photo award winner, Julia Kochetova.
Julia Kochetova, Ukrainian freelance photographer
Through this support from SDC and IF!, MAG will reach people in de-occupied territories whose lives have been affected by explosive ordnance contamination and whose land can no longer be used due to the risk of landmines and other hazards.
By clearing over 65,000 m2 of land manually and 400,000 m2 through mechanical means, local farmers and community members will be able to use their land safely for agricultural or other activities. The impact will be felt into the wider community, with improved livelihoods and economic prospects as a result of the safe return of land and access to transport routes.
MAG’s Ukraine Country Director, Jon Cunliffe, said: “Since our operations in Ukraine began in April 2022, we have seen the unique and profound impact that women have had and continue to have in protecting and supporting their communities through conflict. Through spreading safety messages in their communities to taking on the role of deminers, they play a key role in Ukraine’s steps to recovery and peace. I am proud that this generous support from IF! and SDC will allow us to further put women in the foreground of landmine clearance in Ukraine and promote women’s leadership in the wider humanitarian sector.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
About SDC
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) is Switzerland’s international cooperation agency within the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). In operating with other federal offices concerned, SDC is responsible for the overall coordination of development activities and cooperation with Eastern Europe, as well as for the humanitarian aid delivered by the Swiss Confederation.
About IF
IF is a non-profit foundation established and operating under the laws of Switzerland whose purpose is to enable people, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised, to access education, healthcare and mental health services, employment and lead safe, dignified, socially connected and fulfilling lives, regardless of gender, race, nationality and religion. IF provides grants and other technical support to high potential organisations to enable them to achieve their goals.
About MAG
MAG is a British non-governmental organisation. Its aim is to find and destroy landmines, cluster munitions and unexploded bombs in places affected by conflict. We also work to limit the causes and address the consequences of armed violence in communities. Our work saves lives, eases suffering, protects human rights and contributes to sustainable peace and security. Since 1989, we have helped over 20 million people in 70 countries. MAG Ukraine was established in August 2022.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Mariia Lastovchenko (Ukraine/English)
Media Communications Coordinator
mariia.lastovchenko@maginternational.org
MAG Communications Team (English)
press@maginternational.org
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Header image credit: Julia Kochetova
