In July-August 2024, JICA provided training in the operation and maintenance of demining equipment for the State Emergency Service Unit (SESU), which is responsible for demining in Ukraine.
The Japanese government has provided Japanese-made demining equipment to Ukraine, which suffers from landmine and UXO contamination. These demining machines include a crane-mounted demining machine1.
This type of removal equipment can operate a crane to remove mines in complex terrain and at a safe distance from explosives. If there is a risk of explosives being present in the debris, this equipment can also be used as “explosion proof heavy equipment” for debris removal by replacing the attachment 2 on the end of the crane. Because of these features, this demining machine can be used not only for demining, but also for debris removal and various other tasks necessary for reconstruction.
Mine clearance machine of the same type as the one provided to Ukraine
In order to take full advantage of the features of these demining machines, JICA, in cooperation with Japanese demining machine manufacturers and the Mine Action Center of Cambodia (CMAC), which has extensive experience in demining, conducted training in Japan and Cambodia for the Ukrainian Emergency Agency in the operation and maintenance of demining machines. As demining is an urgent issue in Ukraine, 14 trainees from the Emergency Agency participated in the training.
The training in Japan was conducted with the cooperation of a demining equipment manufacturer and lasted approximately two weeks, with the goal of acquiring knowledge for basic operation and maintenance of demining equipment. The majority of the training took place outdoors in extremely hot weather, but the trainees remained focused and worked hard to learn how to operate the demining equipment.
Left: Training scene The trainees dared to create complex terrain, such as the gravel pile in the back of the photo, to master detailed manipulation techniques.
Right: Maintenance and management training uses not only manuals but also actual equipment in an effort to acquire specific knowledge.
They were also interviewed by Japanese media. On the left is Instructor Komishian, who is in charge of training the deminers, and on the right is a self-taught Petrenko remover who is also studying Japanese.
After training in Japan, the participants spent about two weeks in Cambodia for practical training in cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action Center, with which JICA has cooperated for many years. Cambodia still has minefields that need to be removed, so practical training sites are available. At such a training site, the trainees learned firsthand from Cambodian practitioners how to operate demining equipment and practical landmine clearance.
Weed removal is done with a brush cutter after pushing away piles of cut shrubs. Shrub and weed removal is an important preparatory task for safe and efficient mine exploration.
On the last day of the training, an evaluation meeting was held to ascertain the level of mastery of the Ukrainian trainees, and it was confirmed that all trainees had acquired their skills to an extremely high level. The trainees expressed their appreciation for the training, saying that the use of demining equipment is essential for safe and efficient clearance of mines and UXOs, and that the training was an extremely valuable opportunity not only to support the Ukrainian Emergency Service, but also to support the next generation of Ukrainians in creating a safe society. Mr. Ratana, Director of the Cambodian Mine Action Center, after expressing his sympathy for the people suffering from the difficult situation in Ukraine, praised the dedication of the trainees and their high level of achievement, and mentioned the history of mine and UXO countermeasures in Cambodia. JICA commended the SESU for its active participation in the training and pointed out the importance of “national capacity “3 in mine action.
Director Ratana of the Cambodian Mine Action Center Cambodian experience conveyed the policy significance of mine and UXO countermeasures in Cambodia. Instructor Razun, representative of the Ukrainian trainees, emphasized the situation in Ukraine, which suffers from mine and UXO contamination, and the importance of introducing mine clearance equipment.
JICA Specialist Komukai Cambodia’s cooperation in mine action in Cambodia for more than 20 years and the significance of the cooperation by Cambodia based on his experience in this field. The Ukrainian Emergency Situation Agency is literally risking its life4 in order to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance, but it lacks the necessary equipment and human resources in the face of vast areas of contaminated land. Therefore, the Japanese government and JICA are cooperating to strengthen Ukraine’s mine countermeasures capacity, based on Japanese technology and experience in providing assistance. JICA will continue to cooperate in the field of mine and UXO countermeasures so that the Ukrainian people can return to a safe and secure life and the reconstruction of the country can progress.
After the training completion ceremony in Cambodia. A sense of accomplishment is evident.
© Source JICA
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