The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Ihor Klymenko, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, Masashi Nakagome, have signed an agreement (in the form of an exchange of notes) between the Governments of Ukraine and Japan on the provision of a grant to the Government of Ukraine for the implementation of the Emergency Recovery Programme related to humanitarian demining and the clearance of unexploded ordnance. The programme is aimed at humanitarian demining and medical support for units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system, with a total value of 4 billion Japanese yen (approximately $27 million).
At the start of the meeting, Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko thanked the Japanese side for its comprehensive support to Ukraine. He noted that since the beginning of the full-scale war, Japan had already provided Ukraine with demining equipment worth more than $60 million. The current project provides additional funding of 4 billion Japanese yen (approximately $27 million), of which roughly $23.6 million is allocated to humanitarian demining and more than $3 million to medical provision for healthcare facilities within the Ministry of Internal Affairs system.
“Today we are jointly launching a large-scale grant programme that will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs both in humanitarian demining and in medical provision. The programme takes a sectoral approach and is fully focused on the needs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs system,” Ihor Klymenko stressed.
The minister emphasised that Ukraine was currently one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world. Therefore, support for the country’s largest national demining operator – the State Emergency Service – is critically important.
Under the programme, State Emergency Service units will receive mechanised demining systems, robotic complexes, equipment for underwater detection of explosive objects, as well as spare parts kits and technical maintenance tools for the equipment.
A separate component of the programme is dedicated to medical support: healthcare facilities within the Ministry of Internal Affairs system will receive state-of-the-art equipment for surgery, stabilisation of the injured, and post-trauma rehabilitation.
In addition, the programme includes the supply of several mobile safety classrooms that will operate throughout Ukraine, teaching children how to behave if they encounter explosive objects.
“This is not just technology and equipment. It is an investment in our lives, in people’s safety, and in the resilience of every Ukrainian community. I am grateful to the Government of Japan for a partnership that delivers real, practical results for Ukraine,” the minister added.
During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome emphasised Japan’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the importance of developing cooperation in humanitarian demining. He expressed his deep respect and gratitude to all employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Emergency Service, and other agencies for their steadfast service and tireless dedication to protecting the lives of all Ukrainians. He noted that, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Japan had provided comprehensive support to Ukraine and that humanitarian demining remained one of its key priorities. He added that Japan remained committed to supporting Ukraine on its path to a safe future free from the mine threat and looked forward to further fruitful cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
The programme includes the procurement of specialised vehicles, underwater demining equipment, kit for underwater sappers, and hyperbaric chambers for the rehabilitation of personnel, primarily from the State Emergency Service.
The signed Agreement once again confirms the high level of partnership between Ukraine and Japan and the shared readiness of both sides to work together to protect human lives and restore a safe future for Ukraine. (Government portal)