Supporting humanitarian mine action efforts around the world

Globally, FPI has mobilised over €170 million funding since 2022 to support mine action efforts across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This enables people to safely return to their homes, restore farmland and rebuild essential infrastructure.

In Armenia, significant progress was achieved in advancing humanitarian mine action and strengthening national capacities. With FPI's support the Center for Humanitarian Demining and Expertise has released 317,444 m² of land contaminated with explosive remnants of war, landmines, and cluster munitions across 23 settlements in four affected regions of Armenia. This has directly contributed to improved safety, socio-economic recovery, and development opportunities for over 107,000 people. The work on the ground combines operational land clearance with strategic strengthening of national mine action systems, including enhanced coordination mechanisms, institutional capacity development, and the provision of modern demining equipment. This includes advanced metal detectors, professional demining toolkits, and evacuation vehicle, significantly improving the safety, efficiency, and operational readiness of national demining teams. The project also continues to promote innovation and modernization within the Armenian mine action sector, including the introduction of a digital contamination map and an Augmented Reality/ Virtual Reality-based demining simulation training tool. In parallel, the project promotes gender-responsive approaches to ensure a more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable mine action workforce.

In Ukraine, Russia's war of aggression has left vast areas contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance. Up to 174,000 km² - nearly a third of the country - are estimated to be potentially contaminated, posing a major threat to civilian safety and economic recovery. The EU and its Member States have mobilised over EUR 500 million for humanitarian demining since 2022 [Figures provided by the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture of Ukraine (06/03/2026)], including around EUR 85,5 million from the European Commission, over EUR 72 million of which is managed by FPI. FPI has supported survey and clearance operations as well as explosive ordnance risk education carried out by international demining NGOs. It has also provided specialised equipment, and assistance to national mine action authorities in the areas of innovation and governance. Since 2023, over 42,000 km² of land - an area roughly equivalent to the size of Denmark - have been returned to productive use and more than one million explosive hazards have been neutralised, allowing communities to return home and farmers to safely cultivate their land again.

In Syria, more than a decade of conflict has left widespread explosive contamination across the country, putting over 14 million people at risk. Since December 2024 alone, explosive ordnance has caused more than 1,099 incidents and around 2,015 casualties, with more than 60% occurring in agricultural and grazing areas, directly affecting livelihoods and food security. Since January 2026, FPI is supporting the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and the newly established National Mine Action authorities with EUR 10 million to reduce these threats through mine clearance, risk education and strengthened national coordination, helping displaced families return safely and communities regain access to land and essential infrastructure.

In Gaza and the West Bank, FPI has been supporting UNMAS since 2021 in reducing the risks posed by explosive remnants of war for civilians and humanitarian actors, laying the groundwork for future recovery and reconstruction. The EU is the main donor to support humanitarian mine action response across the Gaza Strip (including Gaza City and the North Gaza) and in the West Bank. Since 2025, EUR 15 million has been made available to support activities and UNMAS has been responding to 100% of priority requests for explosive hazard assessments from various UN, humanitarian agencies and DG ECHO, acting as a critical enabler of humanitarian aid and safety in Gaza. UNMAS conducted 660 explosive hazard assessments and supported 256 interagency missions, enabling partners to safely deliver assistance in Internally Displaced Person camps, medical and educational facilities, food distribution sites, and debris management operations. To strengthen safety, UNMAS also provided risk education sessions to 1,145 humanitarian personnel.

Community engagement has been another focus of our support. With local partners, UNMAS reached over 187,000 people with tailored risk education and conflict preparedness messaging, alongside the distribution of 200,000 awareness materials. In the West Bank, UNMAS continued capacity development with the Palestinian Mine Action Centre and PA Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Police, including a comprehensive needs assessment and the start of training plan development.

On the coordination side, UNMAS has continued to chair the Mine Action Area of Responsibility, facilitating 20 meetings across Gaza and the West Bank with strong participation of international and local partners.

In Libya, since the fall of the Gaddafi regime in 2011, residential, agricultural, and industrial areas have remained heavily contaminated by explosive ordnance due to repeated armed conflicts. This contamination poses a direct threat to communities, hinders the safe return of internally displaced persons, and stalls rehabilitation and livelihood recovery. With support from FPI, the local NGO 3F has prioritised mine clearance, risk education, and local capacity-building to enhance safety and resilience. In 2025 alone, key achievements included clearing 339,439 m² of contaminated land, including residential areas, farmland, and public spaces like the Tripoli Zoo; removing 20,328 explosive devices and safely destroying 12 tonnes (11,340 items) of unsecured stockpiled weapons; delivering lifesaving risk education to 27,272 people, including 12,476 women and girls, to reduce accidents and build community awareness. These efforts are critical to restoring safety, enabling returns, and reviving livelihoods in conflict-affected areas.

In Lebanon, UNDP is working alongside Lebanon's Mine Action Centre (LMAC) to protect lives, restore safe access to land, and enable communities to return home. FPI support is aimed at strengthening the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) Engineering Regiment, the primary national demining operator. Together, LMAC and the LAF Engineering Regiment form the backbone of Lebanon's national response to explosive ordnance. As of end 2025, over 126 million square meters of contaminated land had been cleared, out of a total of 149.5 million square meters identified nationwide. Renewed contamination with renewed conflict brings additional challenges and makes operations ever more urgent; new National Mine Action Standards are also being developed to address explosive ordnance contamination in rubble and debris, as well as contamination linked to white phosphorus. UNDP and LMAC have also delivered consistent, standardized, life-saving messaging that empowers civilians - including displaced populations, women, and children - to protect themselves and move safely. With FPI support, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education efforts are being scaled up nationwide to ensure consistent, inclusive outreach. Beyond prevention, FPI support also extends to victim assistance e.g. prostheses will be provided to Explosive ordnance survivors, recognizing that comprehensive mine action must include the long-term rehabilitation and dignity of those already affected.

Finally, in 2025, a new EUR 5 million Facility on Global Governance and Innovation in Mine Action was launched to strengthen national mine action authorities. This includes support for research, testing, and innovation, as well as the development and piloting of new technologies aimed at making demining faster, safer, and more effective worldwide.