Before the snow arrived, Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) completed pre-accreditation training for deminers in southern Ukraine .

The month-long retraining course, run by our expert Technical Advisors, focuses on identifying different explosive ordnance planning processes to maximise safety in a contaminated area. Once identified, landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) are safely marked and disposed of by either The State Emergency Service of Ukraine or the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence. The course also contains basic life support training. Graduates of the course can now join other local deminers as part of the GCS Team working to eliminate explosive threats and save lives.

Lourie Venter, GCS Technical Advisor, is happy to see the smooth running of the courses: “Since October, we have retrained 15 members to ensure they have acquired the requisite knowledge, skills and attitude to perform the duties and tasks of Explosives Ordnance Clearance Field Operators. They will be able to assist in the planning, management and conduct of BAC and clearance operations, following the Ukrainian Standard Operation Procedures. We work with local translators to ensure effective communication, indispensable when coordinating clearance activities in hazardous environments.”

Both Ukrainian authorities and international demining organisations such as GCS understand that capacity, be that of equipment or trained deminers, is crucial to surveying, decontaminating and releasing land for rebuilding and recovery. GCS is active in Ukraine as well as globally to accelerate this process from factory to field.