Congress Includes Funding for Demining in $40 Billion Aid Package to Ukraine

On May 20, the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act was signed into law President Biden, including resources for demining programs. The legislation allocates $40 billion in emergency aid to Ukraine, including for humanitarian programs, in response to Russia’s invasion. As HALO begins working to clear landmines and unexploded hazards in the outskirts of Kyiv, additional resources will help bolster efforts to remove these deadly items more efficiently.

The bill includes $100 million for the Nonproliferation, Anti-Terrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR) account, which is the source of funding for demining and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance programs in the national budget. Furthermore, the bill gives $128.7 million to Army research and development (R&D) programs, which could possibly support the development and use of innovative demining technologies in Ukraine.

Landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive contamination will plague Ukraine for years to come. These weapons indiscriminately kill civilians and are being used to booby trap entire communities, preventing refugees from returning home and making it nearly impossible for Ukrainians to rebuild their lives. US Government funding is crucial to clearing these weapons of war and preventing innocent Ukrainians from becoming their next victim.