Accelerating Land Release and Recovery in Ukraine
Switzerland supports Ukraine in accelerating the safe release of contaminated land, contributing to the protection of civilians and economic recovery. Leveraging the expertise of APOPO, a member of the Swiss coalition on mine action, the project strengthens a Ukrainian mine action operator in an innovative dog-based methodology that allows land to be released more quickly. Building local capacity and autonomy, Switzerland contributes to effective and sustainable humanitarian mine action.
| Pays/région | Thème | Période | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ukraine |
Conflit & fragilité
Enlèvement des mines terrestres
|
01.10.2025
- 31.12.2027 |
CHF 5’031’482
|
- Other international or foreign NGO North
- APOPO Swiss Foundation, Geneva
-
Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE GOUVERNEMENT ET SOCIETE CIVILE
Sous-Secteur selon catégorisation du Comité d'aide au développement de l'OCDE Enlèvement des mines terrestres et restes explosifs de guerre
Type d'aide Contribution à des projets ou programmes
Numéro de projet 7F11549
| Contexte | Ukraine is one of the world's most heavily mine-contaminated countries, with 138,500 km2 suspected of explosive ordnance (EO) contamination. The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan estimates that 5.4 million people are in need of mine action. Contamination impedes social and economic recovery and poses a pernicious threat to civilians. Ukraine is one of the countries with the highest number of civilian casualties by EO: 1000 civilians have been either killed or injured, among them 115 children. Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv and Mykolaiv are among the most heavily contaminated oblasts, along the frontline and in previously occupied areas. The scale of contamination far exceeds national clearance capacities. Innovative and cost-effective approaches such as Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs) are gaining traction, to increase operational speed without compromising safety. |
| Objectifs | Contribute to the safe and sustainable recovery of conflict-affected communities in Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv and Mykolaiv Oblasts, Ukraine, by accelerating the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) through innovative, nationally anchored mine action solutions — including the deployment of Technical Survey Dogs — that enhance civilian protection, restore access to critical land and infrastructure, and by creating and strengthening local operational capacity. |
| Groupes cibles |
The main target group is the civilian popul-tion living in areas suspected of EO contamination in the oblasts of Kharkiv, Kherson, Kyiv and Mykolaiv. Risk identification of EO will enhance their protection and restore their access to critical land and infrastructure. The more specific target group is the Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA), whose capacities in technical survey dogs’ operations will be built, including the related infomanagement. |
| Effets à moyen terme |
Outcome 1 Ukrainian mine action capacity is strengthened through the institutional development of UDA and the deployment of a national workforce, capable of managing, sustaining, and scaling up Animal Detection. Outcome 2 High-priority contaminated land is jointly surveyed (2,441,120 m2) and released (up to 2,929,344 m2) through effective deployment of TSD teams. Outcome 3 Operational effectiveness is sustained through high performance, cost-efficiency and strong animal welfare. |
| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus: Output 1.1 Qualified Ukrainian candidates are recruited Output 1.2 Comprehensive training is delivered, equipping handlers with the skills for safe and effective deployment Output 1.3 UDA is equipped with the institutional systems, personnel, and protocols to deploy Animal Detection Systems Output 1.4 Teams are certified, equipped, integrated and lo-gistically prepared for deployment in 2026 Output 2.1 The 2 TSD teams are deployed Output 2.2 Land is surveyed using TSDs Output 2.3 QA/QC confirms the accuracy and safety of land Output 3.1 Dogs remain in optimal physical and operational condition through continuous care and training Output 3.2 Ensure cost-efficiency Principaux résultats antérieurs: N/A |
| Direction/office fédéral responsable |
DDC |
| Partenaire de projet |
Partenaire contractuel ONG internationale ou étrangère |
| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs | APOPO occupies a niche, as a specialist of Animal Detection. They work in partnership with all main stakeholders in Ukraine, training SESU capacity and working together with major demining operators including Swiss project partners DRC, FSD and MAG. This intervention shows particular synergy with the Swiss-funded projects of MAG-Digger and of GCS-SESU. APOPO sits in all |
| Budget | Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF 5’031’482 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF 0 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF 0 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF 5’031’482 |
| Phases du projet |
Phase 1 01.10.2025 - 31.12.2027 (Active) |
