Explosive risk management training must remain effective even when infrastructure is damaged and normal working conditions no longer exist. In parts of Ukraine, limited electricity, destroyed municipal buildings and ongoing security constraints require training to be delivered wherever it is possible to reach people safely.

In June 2024, Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) continued delivering Provincial Explosive Awareness and Reporting (PEAR) training under such conditions, adapting both content and delivery methods to local realities.

Training where people can safely gather

PEAR training teams, made up of international specialists and locally based GCS Ukraine staff, conducted sessions in makeshift clinics, temporary facilities and basement airraid shelters. Participants included general practice medical staff, municipal representatives and community leaders responsible for overseeing civilian activity in potentially contaminated areas.

In some locations, limited transport options meant participants travelled by bicycle to attend training, reflecting both the constraints faced and the commitment of local personnel to improving safety in their communities.

Scalable training for nondeminers

The PEAR programme is designed for people who are not professional deminers, but whose roles require them to recognise explosive hazards, assess risk and report findings accurately. This includes healthcare workers, municipal officials and local coordinators working in early recovery and reconstruction.

By strengthening awareness and reporting at this level, PEAR training reduces exposure to risk during daily operations while clearance activities continue elsewhere.

Measurable reach and inclusion

To date, more than 700 key workers and municipal leaders have completed PEAR training in Ukraine, including over 250 women. This reflects a deliberate focus on inclusive capacity building, ensuring that explosive risk awareness reaches those most directly involved in communitylevel decisionmaking.

The programme is supported by DEG Impulse as part of the develoPPP initiative, with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Maintaining momentum under constraints

The ability to adapt training delivery without compromising quality is essential in prolonged crises. By combining field experience, flexible methods and local presence, GCS ensures that risk-awareness training remains accessible and relevant, even under the most difficult conditions.