Kyiv, 13 July 2026 — The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), together with the VOVCHOK Civil Protection Faculty, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and with the support of the Government of the Netherlands, has completed a Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) Training of Trainers (ToT) programme.

The training programme strengthened the capacity of Ukrainian humanitarian demining personnel and emergency responders to provide critical medical assistance in high-risk operational environments. A total of 113 SESU instructors completed the programme and received 25 medical training kits.

The training kits will enable SESU instructors to deliver realistic, standards-based first aid training and practical exercises for deminers and emergency responders across Ukraine. The graduation ceremony also featured a demonstration of the medical training equipment.

The TECC ToT programme was designed to strengthen instructors’ ability not only to teach life-saving skills, but also to create safe and effective learning environments that build confidence, readiness, and practical competence among humanitarian demining and emergency response personnel. 

The ceremony featured remarks from representatives of SESU and UNDP, who highlighted the importance of international cooperation in supporting humanitarian mine action efforts in Ukraine and acknowledged the contribution of donor countries helping to reduce risks from explosive ordnance contamination.

Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, underscored the importance of investing in the safety and resilience of those working on the front lines of humanitarian demining. “Humanitarian deminers and emergency responders perform one of the most dangerous yet essential jobs in Ukraine’s recovery,” Lootsma said. “Their safety must remain a top priority. Through this partnership with the Government of the Netherlands and SESU, we are helping ensure that those who protect communities from explosive threats have the knowledge, skills, and equipment needed to save lives when every second counts. The training of 113 instructors and the provision of medical training kits will have a multiplier effect, strengthening capacities across Ukraine and contributing to safer humanitarian mine action operations.”

Andrii Danyk, Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, emphasised that, given the daily risks faced by Ukrainian emergency responders, the ability to provide immediate first aid is essential to saving lives. 

“The latest example came during the response to the aftermath of a massive Russian attack in Vyshneve, where two of our deminers were injured while carrying out their work. Thanks to the skills acquired through this first aid instructor training, they were evacuated from the site in just two minutes,” Danyk said. “Preparing qualified instructors in line with international tactical medicine standards is a major step forward for our Service.”

As Ukraine continues to address widespread explosive ordnance contamination resulting from the war, ensuring the safety and preparedness of demining personnel remains a critical priority. Explosives contamination poses risks to civilians and limits recovery and development efforts. Approximately 23 percent of Ukraine's territory has been directly affected by hostilities and requires assessment and clearance of explosive hazards.

UNDP continues to work closely with national authorities and international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s humanitarian mine action sector, improve operational safety standards, and support the country’s recovery and resilience.

Media enquiries:

Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy, UNDP Ukraine; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org