Donetsk region plans to clear 61,500 hectares of agricultural land of mines

Donetsk region plans to clear 61,500 hectares of agricultural land of mines  Ukrinform

Donetsk region plans to clear 61,500 hectares of agricultural land of mines

Donetsk region plans to clear 61,500 hectares of agricultural land of mines

Donetsk Region Plans to Demine Agricultural Land

Donetsk Region is taking steps to demine a total of 61,500 hectares of agricultural land, with a target of clearing 12,800 hectares by 2024. To achieve this, three non-state mine action operators have been engaged.

Demining Efforts in Donetsk Region

Olena Rybakova, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Development and Land Relations of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, provided this information during a briefing.

“Donetsk Regional Military Administration, in collaboration with local administrations, has compiled a list of agricultural fields that require inspection for explosive devices and subsequent demining. The identified areas are located at least 20 km away from the combat line. Currently, we have identified 61,500 hectares of agricultural land for demining,” Rybakova stated.

Rybakova explained that this year, 12,800 hectares can be cleared of mines, which will be done in three stages.

  1. The first stage will cover areas with a low probability of mining. These areas are mainly in the de-occupied territories. If the survey confirms the absence of mines, these areas can be immediately returned to agricultural use.
  2. The second stage involves areas with an average probability of mining.
  3. The third stage focuses on areas with confirmed mines, requiring more complex and time-consuming demining efforts.

In 2024, the plan is to demine a total of 4,300 hectares in the first stage, 3,200 hectares in the second stage, and 5,300 hectares in the third stage. These areas include agricultural enterprises in various communities within Donetsk Region.

Engagement of Non-State Mine Action Operators

To conduct surveys and demining operations, non-governmental mine action operators have been engaged in Donetsk Region. These operators include “D. MINING. SOLUTIONS” LLC, a representative office of “HALO Trust Ukraine,” and the Swiss Charitable Foundation for Mine Action.

“These operators have divided the communities to be surveyed and have already started their work. The goal is to prevent injuries and deaths of agricultural workers during field work,” Rybakova emphasized.

Military Demining and Economic Impact

Rybakova clarified that the current demining efforts in Donetsk Region do not include areas mined for defense purposes. The focus is solely on clearing mined areas left by the enemy in the de-occupied territories. The issue of military demining is not currently being considered.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 242 agricultural enterprises in Donetsk Region have suffered losses amounting to UAH 4.9 billion.

Donetsk Region has the longest front line, stretching approximately 300 km.

Photo: CAF with Ukraine

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve economic development, infrastructure, peacebuilding, and partnerships for demining activities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • SDG 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
  • SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
  • SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
  • SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

These targets are relevant to the article’s content as they address the need to protect workers’ safety, develop infrastructure, reduce violence, and promote partnerships for demining activities.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

  • Number of hectares demined in agricultural land
  • Number of non-state mine action operators engaged
  • Number of stages for demining activities
  • Number of agricultural enterprises and communities involved in demining
  • Amount of losses suffered by agricultural enterprises due to the invasion
  • Length of the front line in Donetsk region

These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets as they provide quantifiable measures of demining activities, engagement of non-state actors, economic losses, and the extent of the conflict-affected area.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth SDG 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment. – Number of hectares demined in agricultural land
– Number of non-state mine action operators engaged
– Number of stages for demining activities
– Number of agricultural enterprises and communities involved in demining
– Amount of losses suffered by agricultural enterprises due to the invasion
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. – Number of hectares demined in agricultural land
– Number of non-state mine action operators engaged
– Number of stages for demining activities
– Number of agricultural enterprises and communities involved in demining
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. – Number of hectares demined in agricultural land
– Number of non-state mine action operators engaged
– Number of stages for demining activities
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. – Number of non-state mine action operators engaged
– Number of agricultural enterprises and communities involved in demining

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: ukrinform.net

 

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