Ukraine’s demining needs reduced by USD 5 billion as clearance progresses: RDNA4 report

Ukraine’s needs for demining of war-affected territories amount to USD 29.8 billion. This is stated in the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4) report conducted by the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine, the European Union and the United Nations. Compared to the previous document, the mine action needs estimate has been reduced by USD 4.8 billion due to progress in surveying and clearing the land where the fighting took place.

“Reducing the amount of humanitarian demining needs by almost USD 5 billion is a testament to the tremendous work done by the Ministry of Economy together with the Ministry of Defence, the State Emergency Service, private and international mine action operators and other stakeholders. And we have room to grow – the authors of the report note that the active development of innovations such as the use of sensor technologies, aerial photography and machine learning can further accelerate and, accordingly, reduce the cost of demining,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine.

The authors of the assessment emphasise that since demining will take decades, it is crucial to build long-term institutional capacity and develop partnerships with international mine action organisations. The document recommends expanding the use of innovation and ensuring long-term investment in the humanitarian demining sector.

Background

The RDNA4 (Fourth Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment) conducted by the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine, the European Union and the United Nations builds on the previous three joint assessments and takes into account additional analytical research. The report incorporates the “build back better (BBB) approach and the principles of green, sustainable and inclusive reconstruction.

As with previous assessments, RDNA4 analyses the impact of the war on vulnerable groups (displaced people, veterans, people with disabilities, etc.) and identifies short-term recovery priorities for 2025. It is aligned with reforms and investments under the Ukraine Facility and Ukraine’s integration into the EU.

A full assessment of the damage caused by the war will only be possible once Ukraine gains access to all its territories and is able to conduct proper surveys, including humanitarian demining.