Humanitarian demining in Ukraine: Overcoming barriers to safety

“Depending on the region and terrain, we determine the most effective demining approach. The level and type of contamination vary significantly, requiring different techniques,” explains Wayne Lomax, Humanitarian Mine Action Operations Manager at the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in Ukraine.

Regional and district councils can submit requests for clearance to the National Mine Action Authority and the Mine Action Centre, which oversee humanitarian demining in Ukraine.

These bodies then coordinate efforts with public and non-governmental mine action organisations, allocating demining zones based on capacity and resources.

A dangerous yet essential mission

Demining is physically and mentally demanding work. Teams operate under harsh conditions — scorching heat, biting wind, and unpredictable terrain. The process itself is slow and methodical, requiring immense patience and precision.

During the winter months, snow and frost make it impossible to clear explosive ordnance safely. However, the work does not stop. Instead, demining teams focus on updating danger markings, compiling documentation and reports, and undergoing essential training, including first aid, to ensure they are fully prepared for the next demining season.

Wayne Lomax highlights: "All DRC deminers strictly adhere to international and national safety standards, as well as DRC’s internal standard operating procedures. The safety of personnel is always the top priority."

Recently, deminers in Ukraine have resumed work after a winter break. The dates for the beginning and end of the stand-down period vary each year, depending on weather and climate conditions. In some DRC operational sites, early spring weather can further impede work, as heavy rains or melting snow can create waterlogged ground. However, as soon as conditions allow, teams resume their operations.

Making an impact

With financial support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, DRC deminers have cleared more than 17 hectares of land in the Kharkiv and Mykolaiv Oblasts since August 2023. In the process, they have located 35 explosive devices, including unexploded ordnance, artillery shells, mines, and cluster munitions.

Many of these deminers come from diverse backgrounds, having chosen to radically change their lives by undergoing specialised training to contribute to the country’s safety. Their work begins with marking hazardous areas and conducting technical surveys, followed by humanitarian demining. Once an area is cleared, national authorities carry out stringent quality control checks before returning the land to local communities.

While the road to a mine-free Ukraine is long, every cleared hectare is a step toward safety, stability, and a future where communities can rebuild without fear.