Declaration of Intent between MSB and Ukraine on Mine Action and Rescue Services
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has long collaborated with Ukrainian authorities and provided support to Ukraine. To further develop this partnership, a declaration of intent has now been signed between MSB and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), as well as with the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) and the State Special Transport Service (SSTS).
Ukraine is currently the most mined country in the world, posing a severe threat to the nation's food production and endangering civilians with life-threatening risks that will persist long after the war ends. The Ukrainian rescue services play a crucial role in saving lives and responding to the war's impacts to protect the civilian population.
— MSB is now expanding its support to Ukraine in mine action and rescue services - two of our top priority areas. Through this cooperation, we also gain valuable insights from Ukraine's experiences, which will strengthen our own preparedness, says Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, MSB's Director General.
The purpose of the declaration of intent is to formalize and emphasize the long-term commitment of our joint efforts. This work aims to strengthen Ukraine's resilience through support for mine action and rescue services, known as the Mine Action and Rescue Service (MARS). The initiative, which began on August 19 this year, has two primary components. The first focuses on rescue services and civil protection in partnership with the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), MSB's counterpart in Ukraine. The second focuses on mine action in cooperation with the National Police of Ukraine (NPU) and the State Special Transport Service (SSTS).
The project will last for three years with a budget of 190 million SEK, funded by Sida.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, support and collaboration have increased, and MSB now provides as much support to Ukraine as to the rest of the world combined. Assistance is delivered through the UN and EU, as well as directly between MSB and Ukrainian authorities. To date, Sweden and the civil sector, through MSB, have delivered humanitarian aid and materials worth over 1 billion SEK.