On May 14, a partner info session on “Powers of Local Self-Government Bodies in Mine Action” was held in the Regional Office of U-LEAD with Europe in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
The speakers were the team of EORE trainers represented by Heorhii Yakovliev, the state operator’s mine safety expert:
“We represent Handicap International, the official mine action operator. We raise public awareness of the risks associated with explosive ordnance. Our field teams inform locals aged 6 to 100. We work with critical infrastructure employees, local self-government bodies, educators and other audiences.”
Stanislav Kutvitskyi and Kostiantyn Naruzhnyi were EORE trainers working with municipal officials. They explained steps in case of threats arising from explosive ordnance and measures that should be taken by municipalities to protect the public.
During the two years of the full-scale invasion, a large part of the territory of Ukraine was affected by intense fighting (30% of the territory as of April 2023, according to the GLOBSEC think tank). It needs to be cleared of a large number of explosive ordnance (mines, shells, missiles) and their remnants. 25,769 civilians were injured by explosive weapons with wide area effects, and 1068 persons were killed or injured by mines and explosive remnants of war as of 8 October 2023. These figures were cited by the speakers at the training session. According to them, critical infrastructure workers, farmers, agricultural workers and children are most often at risk and suffer from explosive ordnance.
The trainers provided explanations on the evacuation of civilians if necessary, as well as reminded the procedure in case of mass air strikes or the use of chemical and nuclear weapons by the enemy.
Olena Tertyshna, Head of the Regional Office of U-LEAD in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, believes that the speakers’ information will be of use to the participants both personally and when engaging professional EORE trainers in awareness-raising campaigns and public outreach.
She also stressed that the powers of local self-government regarding mine action are implemented through the meetings of local Commissions on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Response and provide for:
- Raising awareness of the dangers of explosive ordnance and training on explosive ordnance risk prevention;
- Identification of populated areas and territories that require humanitarian demining (setting priorities);
- Organisation of cooperation during a non-technical survey of territories, marking of dangerous areas, conducting humanitarian demining of the territories.
Another important task of the local self-government today is to inform the public about mine, anti and chemical safety measures.
Here are the basic rules of mine safety and handling of explosive ordnance from the EORE trainers.
Three basic safety rules: Stay away! Do not touch! Contact the Emergency Service at 101!
Mines explode from contact, including touch, overheating, pressure, etc. Even from the slightest change in the tension of the wires. Do not approach the explosive ordnance, photograph or touch it.
What to do if you find yourself in a mined area:
- Stop!
- Stay put.
- Warn the others around you.
- Call 101.
What to do if you saw a wounded person on a minefield:
- Stop!
- Do not approach the wounded person!
- Move to a safe distance.
- Call 101 and 103.
- Calm down the wounded person from a safe distance.
What to do if you find yourself in a mined area while driving:
- Stop!
- Keep calm.
- Call 101.
- Do not try to turn the car around.
As a last resort, leave through the rear door or hatch, follow the tyre tracks or treads, and look carefully under your feet.
Handicap International (acting as Humanity & Inclusion) is an independent and impartial international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. HI is present in approximately 60 countries around the world in emergency, reconstruction, chronic crisis and development settings.
EORE means the course “Explosive Ordnance Risk Education of the Population of Ukraine”
MINE ACTION means activities aimed at ensuring national security and reducing the social, economic and environmental impact of explosive ordnance on the life and activities of the population.
