Ukrainian Deminers Face Risks to Restore Mine-Laden Lands
CISR
This headline is brought to you by the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR) which works to support resilience and recovery in global communities affected by war and conflict.
(InkstickMedia) In Ukraine’s Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, fields once used for farming are now littered with dangerous Russian TM-62 landmines. Deminers like Tatyana, a mother of two, work with the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) to clear these lands. NPA’s demining efforts are crucial to helping people return safely to their homes and livelihoods. Ukraine is now the most mine-contaminated country in the world, with over 142,000 square kilometers affected.
Despite the slow, labor-intensive process, new technologies such as mine-detection dogs and machines have increased productivity. However, deminers must still follow up with conventional tools to ensure thorough clearance. Agriculture has been severely impacted by the mines, with farmers losing land and lives. Nonetheless, deminers persist in their mission to restore Ukraine’s fields for farming, economic recovery, and safe living.
