Kyiv, 20 August 2024, – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine in collaboration with BBC Media Action, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), and with funding from the Government of Japan, is proud to announce the launch of a new educational series on mine safety. This initiative aims to raise awareness about explosive ordnance among the Ukrainian population and promote safe behaviour to enhance public safety. 

Ukraine is currently the most heavily mined country in the world, with more than a quarter of its territory posing potential dangers due to landmines and unexploded ordnance. Unfortunately, a lack of awareness about mine safety often leads to loss of life and serious injuries among Ukrainians. 

The mine safety educational series on the Diia.Osvita platform is part of the “Notice the Changes” mine safety awareness campaign, which began in June 2024.  

The series consists of nine informative episodes designed to teach viewers how to identify threats and recognize explosive devices. Importantly, the video content is also accessible to people with hearing impairments, as it features sign language interpretation. The series is hosted by Ivan Shepelev, an expert from the SESU. 

After watching the video series, Ukrainians will be able to: 

• Recognize what shells, missile remnants, and drones look like. 
• Learn about different types of mines: how they look and how they work. 
• Identify warning signs and understand potential dangers. 
• Receive clear instructions on what to do if they encounter hazardous items, helping to protect themselves and others. 

The series is available at the following link: https://osvita.diia.gov.ua/en/courses/mine-safety  

UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers emphasized the critical role of risk education in safeguarding the population from explosive ordnance. “UNDP continues its transformative mine action programme to support the Government of Ukraine in enhancing institutional capacity and establishing robust technical standards,” Cilliers said. “Our efforts also focus on raising public awareness about safety precautions. We hope this initiative will significantly enhance public safety.” 

Director of BBC Media Action in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Olga Sedova noted: “Awareness of mine safety remains a critical issue for Ukrainians. We are pleased to launch this educational series on the Diia.Osvita platform. This course complements our media campaign ‘Notice the Changes,’ drawing attention to essential mine safety rules and helping people protect themselves from explosive hazards.” 

Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Andrii Danyk stressed the importance of informing the public about mine safety: “Ukraine is currently one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. Unfortunately, the issue of demining territories will remain relevant for our country for many decades, as will the issue of civilian mine safety. Both adults and children are injured or even killed by explosive devices. Men are particularly at risk, as statistics show that they are more likely to be injured by detonating munitions. Therefore, the ‘Notice the Changes’ information campaign is primarily targeted at a male audience aged 25 and older. Our goal is to create a culture of safe behaviour in society to minimize the number of injuries and deaths while SESU demining teams work to clear Ukrainian territories,” Danyk said. 

Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine for European Integration Valeriia Ionan added: “Digital education today is not just an opportunity to gain new skills but also an essential tool that improves lives and boosts the safety of Ukrainians. Thanks to modern technologies and international partnerships, we are making mine safety knowledge accessible to all Ukrainians, regardless of their place of residence. This new educational series is an investment in the stability and recovery of the country, where knowledge saves lives.” 

The educational series was created for Diia.Education with the informational support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and technical support from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU). This initiative, implemented by BBC Media Action, is part of a UNDP project in Ukraine and is funded by the Government of Japan. 

Media enquiries:  

Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; email: yuliia.samus@undp.org 

Carolynne Wheeler, BBC Media Action Head of Communications; email: carolynne.wheeler@bbc.co.uk