How to employ a person with a disability in mine action: The Ministry of Economy and UNDP prepared recommendations
The Ministry of Economy, with the participation of the United Nations Development Program, has prepared methodological recommendations “Equal Opportunities: Engaging People with Disabilities in Mine Action”. The document will be useful primarily for mine action operators. The guidelines include advice on recruitment, workplace organization for people with disabilities, as well as a sample questionnaire to help determine the needs of employees in organizing their workspace.
“People with disabilities can do a lot for humanitarian demining. Many of them are veterans or civilians who have suffered from mines and other explosive devices. And our task as a ministry is to develop a policy and help with recommendations for those operators who are ready to be strengthened by such experienced and motivated people right now,” said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravaynyi.
Download guidelines:
Guidelines for mine action operators
Involvement of people with disabilities in mine action is a government priority outlined in the National Mine Action Strategy. The Operational Plan for its implementation in 2024-2026 includes 10 measures aimed at people with disabilities, including those affected by explosive hazards.
In particular, it is planned to conduct at least two courses annually to train people with disabilities and victims of explosive ordnance to work in the field of mine action. In 2025, it is also planned to introduce mentoring support and create a system of appeals for affected persons who are looking for work.
Work is currently underway to make amendments to the legislation to regulate the coordination of assistance to victims of explosive ordnance, identifying a central executive body to implement this policy.
As of now, the second course of mine action training for veterans is underway. Out of 124 female and male veterans, 10 participants have been selected to take part in the 16-day program, which will cover four key mine action topics.
The first graduation of people with disabilities who completed the mine action program took place in late August. The five veterans who completed the course began working as image analysts for The HALO Thrust, the largest international mine action operator in Ukraine.
The guidelines are based on the workshop Equal Opportunities: Engaging People with Disabilities in Mine Action. The project was implemented with the support of the Swedish government.