‘Nowhere is the devastation more evident than in Ukraine’, EU says on International Day for Mine Awareness

On this International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, celebrated on 4 April, the European Union has honoured “the courage and dedication of deminers and humanitarian personnel in their daily work to protect others, working on the frontline of this challenge”. 

“We stand with victims and survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting their rights, dignity, and inclusion,” the European Union External Action Service said in a statement, adding that “the scale of the challenge remains immense”.

The statement reminds that each year, the European Union provides over €100 million for mine action. This funding supports clearance, support for victims and their families, including medical care, rehabilitation, and social and economic reintegration, and education in affected communities.

“Nowhere is the devastation more evident than in Ukraine,” the EEAS said. “Around a quarter of Ukrainian territory is contaminated with mines, found in parks, beneath roads, and scattered across farmland.”

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the European Union and its Member States have mobilised over €360 million for demining efforts. The EU remains the largest donor in Ukraine, supporting specialist equipment, detection dogs and the restoration of land poisoned with explosive remnants of war.

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Press release