Earlier this month, MAG welcomed a delegation of UK parliamentarians to our operations in Ukraine for an in-depth look at humanitarian mine action in one of the most contaminated countries in the world.
The visit highlighted the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery – and highlighted how mine action remains central to that process. Explosive hazards continue to threaten lives, damage agriculture and infrastructure, and delay efforts to rebuild communities devastated by war.
Baroness Bennett, Green Party peer
The delegation, led by Helen Maguire MP, included parliamentarians, defence specialists, and industry leaders. The visit was made possible through the support of Paul Heslop, UN Senior Technical Advisor for Mine Action, and was organised under the auspices of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons and their Impact.
Beginning in Kyiv and continuing to Krasylivka in northern Ukraine, the group toured APOPO’s training site. Across Ukraine, MAG works in partnership with APOPO to combine MAG’s extensive experience in humanitarian demining with APOPO’s innovative detection capabilities, accelerating land release operations and helping communities rebuild and recover safely.
At the training site, APOPO teams demonstrated the work of technical survey dogs – one of several specialised tools used to clear land efficiently. MAG teams also showcased the preparation and clearance processes that follow dog-assisted surveys, ensuring land is safe before being returned to families and farmers.
Delegates also received briefings on the scale of contamination across Ukraine. Approximately 25% of the country has suffered destruction of essential infrastructure and an estimated 139,000 square kilometres, or roughly over three and a half times the size of Switzerland, is estimated to be contaminated by landmines and other explosive ordnance.
The UK supports humanitarian mine action in Ukraine through the Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP), which funds MAG’s operations in partnership with The HALO Trust and the Ukrainian Deminers Association. The current phase of GMAP in the country has been extended from April 2025 to March 2026, with £4.3 million allocated to MAG and its partners for clearance, risk education, and community support. Mine action remains central to UK foreign, security, and defence policy – stabilising post-conflict regions, protecting civilians, and enabling wider humanitarian impact. GMAP has consistently been recognised by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for its effectiveness in delivering tangible, long-term results.
The visit concluded with meetings between the UK delegation and Ukrainian parliamentarians, followed by a reception with MAG, HALO, and APOPO, strengthening collaboration and reinforcing the shared commitment to making Ukraine safe.
MAG’s work in Ukraine saves lives, supports food security, and enables communities to rebuild. Through sustained diplomatic leadership and initiatives like the Global Mine Action Programme, the UK should continue to play a pivotal role in driving recovery, delivering lasting change today and in the years to come.
Learn more about MAG's work in Ukraine here.
Header image (left to right): Cameron Thomas MP, APOPO dog handler Daryna Hromychenko, Helen Maguire MP, Baroness Bennett, Paul Heslop, UN Senior Technical Advisor for Mine Action
