Demining for Ukraine. Switzerland is looking for a solution

According to approximate estimates, about a quarter of the territory of Ukraine, which is 150,000 square kilometers, is contaminated by mines. This is an area that is four times the size of Switzerland. These days, October 17 and 18, Ukraine and Switzerland are organizing a conference on demining Ukraine in Lausanne. Ukraine is one of the most mined regions in the world. The upcoming conference on humanitarian demining in Lausanne aims to explore possible solutions to address the threat of mines, explosives and unexploded ordnance.Russia’s invasion has littered Ukraine with landmines and other unexploded ordnance that will remain a threat for decades to come.

What is this conference about?
According to the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the purpose of the conference is to “discuss the critical importance of demining as a key element of societal and economic reconstruction.” The focus will be on how humanitarian demining operations should be organized. Mines are cheap to manufacture and easy to lay, but demining them is a complex and time-consuming process. The same goes for unexploded ordnance, such as grenades or unexploded bombs. These remnants of war can remain dangerous for decades after the war ends. Ukraine, known as the “granary of Europe”, is one of the largest exporters of wheat in the world. However, the mining of Southern Ukraine poses a challenge both to the economy within the country and affects poorer countries that are now facing higher wheat prices due to the war. The conference will be attended by 50 states, international and regional organizations, humanitarian demining partners, and the private sector. The conference also aims to discuss funding and innovative approaches such as the use of drones for demining.

What role does Switzerland play in humanitarian demining?
Switzerland has made humanitarian demining in Ukraine a priority. In 2023, it allocated 100 million Swiss francs for this purpose. These funds support a wide range of activities, including projects to help mine victims and small farmers who can no longer cultivate their fields. The Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Swiss Foundation for Demining (FSD) are key partners in this effort and have been active in eastern Ukraine since 2015.