Mines and other explosive objects are scattered across large areas of Ukraine and are disrupting vital agricultural activities. This is affecting not only Ukraine but also other countries that rely on Ukrainian agricultural products.
Norway is increasing its support for Norwegian People’s Aid’s mine clearance operations in Ukraine by NOK 30 million this year. These operations provide Ukrainian farmers with safe access to their agricultural land and enable local communities to resume their livelihoods.
‘Norwegian People’s Aid is a global leader in the use of mine detection dogs. I am pleased that we are now able to increase our support for NPA’s mine clearance activities in Ukraine,’ said Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust.
On Tuesday, Mr Aukrust visited a training centre for mine detection dogs and their handlers, established jointly by Norwegian People’s Aid and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). The centre is located in the Sumy region of Ukraine, close to the front line.
Humanitarian mine clearance is a priority area in Norway’s assistance to Ukraine. Mine action is crucial in order to protect Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure. As a result of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, roughly one-third of Ukrainian territory – an area the size of Norway’s Vestland, Innlandet and Trøndelag counties combined – is estimated to be contaminated due to mines and other explosive ordnance. The World Bank has estimated that close to USD 30 billion is needed for humanitarian mine action in Ukraine.
Mine detection dogs are used in combination with drones and other high-tech equipment, demining machines and manual demining tools. This new funding is part of a larger allocation being provided now at the end of 2025 to support the efforts of Norwegian NGOs in Ukraine.
Norwegian NGOs are working together with the Ukrainian authorities and international humanitarian mine clearance organisations to clear mines and unexploded ordnance from large areas of Ukraine.
‘Mine clearance activities are dangerous, but this work is vital to prevent innocent people from being killed or maimed for life,’ said Mr Aukrust.
‘Mine clearance operations are essential to Ukraine’s reconstruction and future economic development. These efforts are also important in terms of increasing global food security,’ said Mr Aukrust.
Norway has committed to providing more than NOK 700 million to support humanitarian mine clearance activities in Ukraine in the period from 2022 to 2025. This funding is being channelled through the UN system and NGOs, such as Norwegian People’s Aid.