The Minderoo Foundation has pledged financial support for a United Nations landmine clearing program in war-torn Ukraine.

February 27, 2024

Billionaire Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and his ex-wife Nicola have promised millions of dollars to help war-torn Ukraine de-mine its prime agricultural land.

The Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation’s $5 million donation will help authorities remove land mines in the northwest and south of the country, directly benefiting thousands of Ukrainians.

The Ukraine De-mining program uses satellite imagery to map out mined land, then dispatches specialised teams to survey and clear it.

The United Nations program also provides explosive ordinance risk training.

Dr Forrest, Minderoo Foundation’s co-founder and chair, said Ukraine’s agricultural sector had been devastated by the Russian invasion.

“Ukraine’s agricultural sector is vital to global food supply … resumption of farming is critical,” he said on Tuesday.

It’s just over two years since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops across the border to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian forces have seized about one-fifth of the country and killed about 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians amid a bitter struggle.

Nicola Forrest said Ukraine was now the most heavily mined country in the world, ahead of Afghanistan and Syria.

“An area two-and-a-half times the size of Tasmania is now estimated to be contaminated with deadly land mines and unexploded ordinance,” she said.

The United Nations has previously said landmines in Ukraine adversely affect about 10 million people or a quarter of the population.

The World Bank estimates a full de-mining package would cost more than $US37 billion.

Minderoo Foundation has previously committed more than $13 million in critical aid to Ukraine, including donations to projects to enhance food and energy security, as well as the protection and development of Ukrainian children.