Kyiv, 27 March 2023 – The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Government of Japan, today announced the delivery of eight cutting-edge pyrotechnic vehicles to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), to help ensure that demining and explosives experts can operate with the highest levels of safety and efficiency. 

The specialized vehicles will be used for transporting personnel and property during demining operations throughout Kyiv Oblast and all territories in the future. This latest aid package, delivered under the UNDP’s 'Emergency Explosive Ordnance and Debris Removal' project and funded by the Government of Japan, marks a major milestone in protecting the safety of specialists that conduct a humanitarian demining of Ukrainian territory.  Recently, under the same project framework, UNDP provided SESU with special protective demining equipment, and trained recovery teams and local authorities on handling explosive ordnance and hazardous waste while removing debris.

Asako Okai, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Crisis Bureau Director, attended the handover ceremony in Kyiv.  In her speech, she highlighted the enduring collaboration between UNDP and SESU in overcoming the effects of war and promoting rapid and secure recovery in Ukraine.  "Japan’s continuous support to our programmes in Ukraine has been instrumental in ensuring the successful clearance of landmines and other explosives, ultimately contributing to sustainable peace and security in the region,” she said.

Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, was also present at the ceremony.  He said that disposal of landmines and unexploded ordnance is a prerequisite for recovery and reconstruction. “Clearing mines is unfortunately not a problem that can be solved in a day. It requires a steadily accumulated efforts,” he said. “We will continue to contribute to rehabilitation and reconstruction of Ukraine in cooperation with UNDP for as long as it takes, leveraging the experience and knowledge of Japan's cooperation in land-mine clearance and reconstruction.”

Roman Prymush, Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine for digital development, digital transformations and digitalization, noted that in difficult times, it is extremely important to have consistent support from strategic partners. "We are grateful to our friends from UNDP and the Japanese government for their constant and timely assistance to the pyrotechnic units of the Emergency Service," he said.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, Communications Team Leader, UNDP in Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org