OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine works to raise awareness of pupils in Donetsk and Luhansk regions about the threat from mines

Leaflets warning of the dangers from mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), designed by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), were distributed to schools in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk by the SMM monitors over October and November 2015. Monitors also delivered interactive awareness lessons about the threat, answering questions from pupils about how to play safe.

This is a part of a campaign launched by the SMM to alert people and especially children in the conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine about the serious dangers that mines and UXO pose.

This hidden threat is a cause for concern, and mines and UXO have already caused a number of incidents and casualties. Mines and UXO represent a major danger particularly for people returning to their homes in or close to affected areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and to those unaware of this danger.  

The signatories of the Minsk documents have agreed that all mines in the Security Zone must be removed and they must co-operate to that end. The SMM continues to facilitate discussions on the most appropriate steps for addressing the mine threat with the participants of the Trilateral Contact Group’s Working Group on Security Issues.

The SMM has facilitated various demining activities, including mine clearance on an eastern approach road to Shyrokyne on 13 November.

The SMM will continue distributing the leaflets explaining the dangers of mines and UXOs, and conducting awareness lessons.