Humanitarian demining in Ukraine: Federal Council reinforces cooperation with the Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD)
Bern, 09.10.2024 - The Swiss government is to provide CHF 30 million to support the work of the Geneva-based Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) in Ukraine until 2027. The decision, which was made at the Federal Council's meeting on 9 October 2024, underscores the importance of humanitarian demining in Ukraine's reconstruction.
It is estimated that around 139,000km2 of Ukraine is contaminated with mines and other explosive ordnance. In September 2023, the Federal Council made around CHF 100 million available for the 2024-27 period to reduce the risk posed by explosive ordnance to the Ukrainian population. Half of this amount will be provided by the FDFA and the other half by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS).
At its meeting today, the Federal Council decided to reinforce its support for the FSD, approving CHF 30 million in funding for one of the foundation's projects.
The implementation of this Federal Council decision will be presented at the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024), which will take place in Lausanne on 17 and 18 October. President Viola Amherd and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis will represent Switzerland at the conference, which is being jointly hosted with Ukraine. The conference, which will take place under the motto 'People. Partners. Progress.', will bring together around 50 states, international and regional organisations, and representatives from NGOs, academia and the private sector to discuss the key role played by humanitarian demining in social and economic recovery.
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