Presentation of the International Coordination Center on Humanitarian Drainage at the State Emergency Service
Today, May 20, a meeting of the International Coordination Center on Humanitarian Demining took place in the central office of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Igor Zhovkva, Deputy State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Anatoly Kutsevol, Head of the Center - Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Mary Akopian, Deputy Head of the Center - Deputy Head of the State SNSS Dmytro Botro Ndar, heads of regional military administrations, representatives of the National Police, the State Border Guard, the National Guard, management bodies and units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, international organizations.
The participants discussed the scope and scope of tasks for clearing the territories of Ukraine, coordination of efforts in this direction and attracting international assistance.
Mary Akopyan stressed that as a result of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, large areas were contaminated with ammunition and explosive objects. We are talking about 300 thousand square. km. territories.
“This is a tremendous challenge that our country faces for the next 5-7 years. One day of active hostilities requires 30 days of demining,” the deputy minister said.
The International Coordination Centre on Humanitarian Drainage has become an international platform for the exchange of experience and the implementation of best practices in demining. The symbol of the Center became the well-known in Ukraine dog-pyrotechnician Patron from the team of rescuers of the State Emergency Service.
“Thanks to the support of the President of Ukraine and the Government, it was decided to redirect part of the budget funds to increase the relevant pyrotechnic unit in the State Emergency Service by 400 positions,” said Mary Akopian.
At the same time, clearly aware of the scale of threats and the scope of tasks, the Ministry of Internal Affairs management consistently and purposefully conducts work with international partners to assist Ukraine in the demining of territories.
“We need international support and involvement of all concerned governments of foreign countries, international and private organizations in solving this problem,” said the deputy head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Mary Akopian expressed her gratitude to the many international organizations that have already responded to the call for assistance to Ukraine.
“In addition to representatives of the management bodies and units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system, the International Coordination Center includes representatives of the UN, the OSCE, the ICRC, the HALO Trust, the Danish Refugee Council and the Swiss Fund for Mine Action “FSD”, - said Mary Akopian.
In addition, the Deputy Minister familiarized those present with the interactive service “Anti-mine activities of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine”, which provides citizens with the opportunity to receive prompt information on the demining of territories and inform the SNS about the detected suspicious objects, and our rescuers to promptly respond to these messages.
The service is available on the official website of the SNS, as well as as a mobile application through the service “Google Play” and “App Store”.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
Photo by Oleg Suprun
