Nearly 230,000 people have been educated by the Ukrainian Red Cross on mine risk

Mine risk continues to be a significant threat during the war in Ukraine. This is why the Ukrainian Red Cross has prioritised educating the public about explosive devices and the rules for safe behaviour.

Since 2015, the Ukrainian Red Cross has been running mine risk awareness projects. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, this initiative has become even more crucial, as the knowledge and skills acquired can directly save lives. Since December 2022, the organisation has been placing even greater emphasis on this issue.

Since the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Red Cross has conducted around 12,000 information sessions across all regions of the country, reaching over 230,000 people, including 136,448 children. A total of 106 instructors have been involved in these activities, and their number continues to grow. The organisation has also developed and distributed informational materials, such as leaflets and displays for educational institutions, explaining what to do if mines or other dangerous objects are discovered.

In many regions, regular training sessions are held for new volunteer instructors. After completing the training, they acquire the necessary knowledge and practical skills to educate the public about mine risks. During the information sessions, participants are taught how to recognise explosive devices, including their potential shapes, sizes, and colours, and the correct actions to take if they are found. Special game sessions have been designed for children to help them better understand and retain the material.

The basic rules taught by the instructors are: stop, don’t panic, don’t touch the suspicious object, and report it by calling 101 or 102. In addition, they discuss situations that may not seem obviously risky, such as the danger of disguising explosives as ordinary objects or the prohibition of selling mines for recycling. The instructors also dispel myths about the possibility of self-demining, which are often portrayed in films.

These activities aim to raise public awareness and reduce the number of injuries among civilians. Ukrainian Red Cross instructors are making every effort to make life in Ukraine safer.