Stockach – Efforts are underway to supply clearance equipment and needed expertise to help minimise any further war-related damage, which has become a matter of extreme urgency. The ongoing conflict between Russian forces and counter-attacks by bold Ukrainians have resulted in cities being destroyed and scenes that have sent shockwaves around the globe.
Reports have confirmed that mass contamination, a byproduct of armed combat, is rapidly spreading across Europe’s second-largest country. Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) is an industry term used to define any explosives that are yet to detonate or have been deployed and are now in the form of debris. This wide list of ticking timebombs can range from hand grenades, ammunition, rockets, missiles and more. In the heat of battle, these can quickly amount to several tons of litter.
In a matter of days, millions of Ukrainians have become refugees, sparking the continent’s biggest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. Meanwhile, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been forced to flee their homes but remain within the country. While many are likely to return, they face the possibility of being exposed to potentially harmful explosives or garbage of war. The most feared being landmines, which are purposefully concealed and can remain active for decades.
“Requests are currently being processed for the GCS-200, a demining machine built to withstand demanding conditions and increase the speed of clearance in urban areas and the countryside. ”
As the long winter nears its end, farmers in Ukraine will be keen to again plough the land. The country is a leading exporter of agricultural products, particularly wheat and grain, which helps to ensure largescale food security. The longer it takes for production to resume, the faster food prices are likely to skyrocket, which may further fuel anti-war demonstrations and riots. The knock-on effects of war are vast and relief efforts remain vital.
Capable of responding to calls for assistance are Global Clearance Solutions (GCS), who for several years have been specialising in the detonation and disposal of UXOs. Company CEO Philipp von Michaelis says, “We fully understand that the predominant need right now is to supply weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, however, we need to turn our attention to the massive amount of remnants of war that pose a great threat to the civilians who are trying to return to their homelands”.
Requests are currently being processed for the GCS-200, a demining machine built to withstand demanding conditions and increase the speed of clearance in urban areas and the countryside. The company’s proven track record of developing effective solutions to mitigate the threat of explosive hazards has made them experts in the field. Their remote-controlled platforms and international personnel have completed assignments in conflict-stricken regions to restore a degree of normality where needed most.
In recent weeks, the organisation has liaised with related agencies to supply Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), for refugees in Germany. GCS Project Manager Rebekka Cammerer says an initiative is underway “to help and equip women with the appropriate knowledge needed to adopt safe practices when returning to post-conflict zones”.
As seen in the short film Unearthed Hope, GCS has an operations team currently deployed in Iraq. There they are contracted to clear around 1.4 million square metres of heavily contaminated minefields of which more than half the area is already complete. This has offered residents an increased sense of safety and a chance to again put their land to effective use.