Four Years of War in Ukraine: Clearing Land to Feed the Future
"Everything is broken, burned. Mines, tripwires all over the place – including the tractors. There were at least 500 mines in the grain store. 10 days ago, 250 mines were found in a field."
— Alexander Mikolaeovich, Farmer, Kharkiv region, Ukraine
Four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, explosive remnants of war continue to shape daily life for civilians, long after battles move elsewhere. Up to one-quarter of all Ukrainian land is contaminated with landmines and other explosive hazards. Farms, forests, roads, and villages are seeded with hidden weapons, turning routine activities like farming, traveling, or rebuilding homes into life-threatening risks.
This contamination doesn't just endanger lives, it blocks recovery. Farmers cannot safely plant or harvest, families cannot return home, and communities cannot rebuild critical infrastructure. With millions of acres of farmland affected, explosive contamination also undermines the ability of Ukraine's famers to feed themselves, their families, and the world. The mines must be removed.
The United States is the world's largest supporter of humanitarian demining programs. Continued U.S. leadership ensures land can be returned to civilian use, agriculture can resume, and communities can begin to rebuild safely.
On the four-year anniversary of the war, urge Congress to support Ukraine's recovery. Clearing landmines is essential to restoring lives, livelihoods, and food security at home and around the world.
Subject: Support Demining in Ukraine
Dear Senator/Representative,
As we mark four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I am writing as your constituent to urge you to support funding for U.S. humanitarian demining programs that advance U.S. national security interests while helping Ukrainians reclaim their land, restore food production, and rebuild their lives.
The war has left Ukraine with one of the most severe landmine and explosive contamination crises in the world. Up to one-quarter of the country's land is now contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance, and more than 2,200 civilians have been killed or injured by explosive hazards since the start of the war - posing a constant threat long after fighting moves on.
This contamination is not only a humanitarian danger, but also a major barrier to food security and economic recovery. The Ukrainian government estimates that more than 1.1 million acres of farmland are contaminated with explosive hazards, preventing safe planting and harvesting. The impact extends far beyond Ukraine's borders: reduced agricultural output has contributed to global supply disruptions and annual Ukrainian agricultural exports are USD 4.3 billion lower due to explosive contamination.
U.S. State Department demining programs play a critical role in addressing these challenges. Removing landmines and explosive remnants of war, enables displaced families to return home, and restore land for agriculture and development. These programs also advance U.S. security interests by promoting stability and economic recovery in areas affected by Russia's invasion, reducing the long-term destabilizing effects of explosive contamination, and demonstrating American leadership through visible, life-saving assistance.
On this anniversary, I urge you to support increased funding for global State Department demining programs (funded by the Conventional Weapons Destruction account) in the FY27 State Department budget.
Thank you for your leadership and for standing with communities working to turn the legacy of this war into a future of safety and stability.
Sincerely,
[Name]
Se flere underskriftsindsamlinger: 