From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
Ukraine has become the most heavily mined country in Europe due to the ongoing conflict, presenting an immense challenge to the nation and the world.
However, until recently, Ukraine did not have a private demining sector. Unlike other European countries such as Poland and the Baltic nations, where private companies have played a vital role in humanitarian demining, Ukraine has long been reliant solely on state-controlled efforts. This is the reason of the limited innovations and the technological advancement, which are crucial in making demining more efficient.
Today, Ukraine stands at a critical juncture. The country’s demining efforts are not only a matter of national security but also a global issue. The lingering presence of unexploded ordnance poses risks not just to Ukraine’s recovery but to international stability, as history shows that areas affected by landmines can remain dangerous for decades. France, for instance, still deals with unexploded munitions from World War I, while Croatia’s demining process has spanned over three decades.
Given the scale of the problem, it is clear that demining Ukraine will take decades unless private sector involvement and international cooperation accelerate the process.
As global precedent suggests, private companies are often best equipped to drive innovation, foster competition, and develop advanced techniques that make demining both safer and more efficient.
One of the key players in this emerging industry is SHERIFF Demining, a company that is rapidly establishing itself as a leader in the field. Due to new regulations introduced by Ukraine’s Due to new regulations introduced by Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers, private operators are now able to enter the market. In result there are currently over 40 certifies demining operators in Ukraine and 15 companies have applied. SHERIFF Demining has not only met the challenge of building a qualified team of deminers, but it has also founded a training center for deminers. It became vital in a country where the number of people required for this dangerous work is estimated in the thousands.
Voice of Ukraine 