Tue Sep 10 16:53:00 UTC 2024: ## Ukraine’s Landmine Crisis Costs $11 Billion Annually, Hampering Recovery and Global Food Security

**KYIV** – A new report reveals that Ukraine’s economy is losing over $11 billion annually due to landmines planted since the Russian invasion. This staggering figure, equivalent to 5.6% of Ukraine’s 2021 GDP, highlights the devastating impact of the minefields on the country’s recovery and global food security.

The report, jointly published by Ukraine’s Economy Ministry and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, paints a bleak picture of the situation. It states that landmines create “no-go” areas, hindering agricultural production, reducing exports, and suppressing tax revenues. The most heavily affected regions are Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Mykolayiv, areas vital for agricultural output.

The study estimates that regional tax revenues are $1.1 billion lower than they would be without the mines, while the value of Ukrainian exports is reduced by $8.9 billion. This is particularly alarming given that agricultural products are a key source of hard currency for Ukraine, and approximately 2.5% of arable land remains unusable due to mine contamination.

“This is not just a Ukrainian issue; it is a global imperative,” stressed Tony Blair, executive chairman of the TBI, emphasizing the impact on global food security. He called for international support to expedite demining efforts, not just for Ukraine’s recovery but also to ensure the stability of food supply for millions worldwide.

The report highlights the urgent need for innovative financing mechanisms, including an agricultural bond market, to bridge the funding gap for demining. The World Bank estimates that approximately $34.6 billion will be required for safe demining operations.

Despite the enormous challenge, Ukraine is making progress. The country, which had no demining vehicles before the war, now has up to 100 and is aiming for 200 vehicles and 10,000 sappers to tackle the task within the next five years. However, with an area larger than England already contaminated, the scale of the challenge remains immense.

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