East Europe Foundation and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) have formalized their partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding. This significant event took place during the Mine Action Donor Coordination Workshop 2024.

The agreement, endorsed by Victor Liakh, President of East Europe Foundation, and Stefano Toscano, Director of the Center, on April 18, outlines the primary areas of collaboration. The focus is on enhancing the mine action capabilities of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU).

East Europe Foundation pledges its support to humanitarian demining missions, the implementation of digital tools to expedite mine action, and the ongoing effort to educate Ukrainians about mine safety.

“Since the onset of the full-scale war, we have been dedicated to mine safety in the country. We are now fortifying our cooperation under the Swiss-Ukrainian EGAP Program, primarily to digitize and accelerate humanitarian demining processes,” Victor Liakh, President of East Europe Foundation, stated.

GICHD, in return, will offer expert technical advice to reduce the risk of explosive ordnance, assist in establishing mine action, and aid in organizing seminars and training courses on mine safety.

“We are delighted to collaborate with East Europe Foundation on explosive ordnance risk education in Ukraine. I am hopeful that our combined experience will lead to significant progress,” Stefano Toscano, Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, expressed.

The Memorandum of Understanding takes legal effect from the moment of its signing and remains valid until the end of 2025.

The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) is committed to mine action and reducing the risk of explosive ordnance, with a focus on landmines, cluster munitions, and ammunition stockpiles. Its activities receive support from over 30 countries and international organizations. 

GICHD has been operational in Ukraine since 2012, actively contributing to the establishment of a world-class mine action program under national leadership.