Humanitarian aid

The threat posed by mines and unexploded ordnance is forcing smallholder farmers and their families to reduce or cease production, thereby compromising the quality, variety and availability of food. This situation undermines the food security of local communities, making them more dependent on humanitarian aid, and is leading some farmers to risk their own lives in order to farm their contaminated land. Switzerland and its partners continue to work to ensure that the affected farmers can get back to work safely and quickly.

At the end of 2023, Switzerland pledged CHF 100 million to support humanitarian demining in Ukraine until 2027. This decision has enabled Switzerland to position itself as one of the main donor countries. Switzerland has rigorously selected a limited number of Swiss and international partners to achieve a substantial impact in Ukraine. The FSD, its main partner, exemplifies Switzerland's expertise in this field.

On 17-18 October 2024, Switzerland and Ukraine are jointly organizing the Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024 in Lausanne. In the run-up to the Conference, the Swiss activities in humanitarian demining in Ukraine are presented, starting with one of its closest partners, the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). The GICHD supports the Ukrainian authorities in adapting its mine action programme to the new realities and planning ahead.