The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided two heavy-duty transport vehicles to strengthen humanitarian demining operations in Ukraine’s Kharkiv Oblast, helping emergency teams safely deploy specialised equipment and clear areas contaminated by explosive hazards.
The vehicles were handed over to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) Main Department in Kharkiv Oblast with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea. The support is part of the global REVIVE initiative, which aims to strengthen recovery and resilience efforts in affected communities.
The newly provided tractors are designed to transport and power mechanical demining equipment. They are part of a wider assistance package that also includes two specialised low-bed semi-trailers for moving heavy machinery, which are expected to be delivered soon.
The equipment will improve the ability of Ukrainian emergency teams to move large-scale demining machinery to hazardous locations quickly and safely. This is especially important in Kharkiv Oblast, one of the regions most affected by explosive contamination following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Humanitarian demining plays a critical role in protecting civilians, restoring access to land, and allowing communities to rebuild. The ability to rapidly deploy mechanical equipment helps reduce risks for demining personnel and increases the speed of clearance operations.
Officials from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service highlighted that the new vehicles will strengthen operational capacity by improving logistics during emergency response and humanitarian mine action activities. The vehicles will support the transportation of specialised equipment, oversized cargo, and heavy machinery to work sites.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Ukraine reaffirmed the country’s support for Ukraine’s recovery efforts, noting that strengthening mine action capacity is essential for civilian protection and safe reconstruction.
UNDP representatives emphasised that effective humanitarian demining requires not only advanced technology but also reliable transport and logistical systems to ensure equipment reaches contaminated areas efficiently.
The new vehicles are expected to help Ukraine’s demining teams operate more effectively, reduce risks associated with explosive hazards, and accelerate efforts to make affected areas safer for communities returning to rebuild their lives.
