Part of the funds allocated by the Dutch government to Ukraine will go to humanitarian demining
This was discussed during the meeting of the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Igor Klimenko with the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Lisier Schreynemacher.
According to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, the Dutch government has allocated 2.5 billion euros in aid for Ukraine in 2023. Part of these funds will be directed to humanitarian demining of the territory of Ukraine.
“At the moment, 30% of the territories of Ukraine have been mined. The State Emergency Service and the National Police are engaged in mining. We have increased the number of pyrotechnics and explosives units threefold. Already about half a million explosive objects have been defused,” Igor Klymenko noted at the beginning of the meeting.
He added that there is now a heavy load on pyrotechnics and sappers in the de-occupied territories, as the enemy leaves not only roads but also houses mined.
“To date, we say that we carried out mainly operational demining — roads, power lines, gas pipelines. Tomorrow we will face the fact that we will have to deport large territories, including agricultural, as well as the waters of the Black and Azov Seas and nearby rivers. Therefore, we try to equip our units that deal with mining as much as possible. And now we need heavy mining machines. Because the safety of our people is a priority,” said Igor Klymenko.
In her turn, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Lisier Schreynemacher, stressed that she was fascinated by the spirit of the Ukrainian independence and would contribute to Ukraine receiving the necessary assistance.
“Demining is a process that requires attention and time and a lot of effort. The work you do is very important. I admire what your team is doing and happy that the Netherlands can help you. We will do everything to provide more help and as soon as possible because we understand the scope of work,” she said.
Separately, Igor Klimenko thanked the Netherlands for the assistance already provided, in particular for mobile hospitals, as well as for the shelter of 85 thousand Ukrainians who received temporary protection status in the Netherlands.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
