Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - GICHD

26/06/2026

With great sadness, the GICHD learnt about the shelling in Novopetrivka, Ukraine, on 24 June 2026, in which two staff members of Norwegian People’s Aid were killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian attack.

We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who were injured.

Our thoughts today are with our colleagues in Ukraine and their families.

We have received reports that two of our staff member have been killed and several others injured in a reported Russian attack. We are working to verify the details while prioritising support for those injured and our employees in the country.

“This is devastating news. My thoughts are with the families, loved ones and colleagues of those affected,” said Secretary General Raymond Johansen.

“Our immediate priority is to support the injured and provide assistance to our colleagues in Ukraine,” Johansen added.

23/06/2026

Proud to have this important event featured on the Syrian news: our first-ever Mine Action Partner Conference organized in collaboration with the Syrian National Mine Action Centre, under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management.

Our sincere thanks to Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Auswärtiges Amt and the European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) making this event possible and supporting mine action efforts in Syria.

23/06/2026

Yesterday we kicked off the first-ever Mine Action Partner Conference 🇸🇾, organized in collaboration with the Syrian National Mine Action Centre under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management.

We brought together Syrian authorities, donors and mine action partners in Geneva to assess needs and accelerate action to address explosive ordnance contamination across Syria.

Over three days, participants are working to build a shared understanding of needs, priorities and capacities, and identify practical ways to strengthen a nationally led mine action response. Discussions focus on the national framework and operational context, contamination and humanitarian impact, coordination and partnerships, links between mine action, agriculture and economic recovery, operational delivery and sustainable national capacity, emergency preparedness, and aligning international support for greater impact.

This conference comes at a critical moment. Landmines, cluster munitions, IEDs, mortar shells and other explosive ordnance continue to affect people across Syria almost daily, with children disproportionately impacted. Since 8 December 2024, more than 2,325 people have been killed or injured across 1,299 recorded incidents nationwide.

Agricultural and grazing areas continue to account for most incidents, highlighting the close relationship between contamination, livelihoods, food security, and the safe movement and return of communities. Over the past week alone, 11 explosive ordnance incidents were recorded across six governorates, resulting in six casualties and reinforcing the urgency of expanding survey, clearance, explosive ordnance risk education (EORE), and victim assistance.

Addressing contamination in Syria will require sustained commitment, coordinated action and long-term cooperation. This conference is an opportunity to advance practical solutions and stronger partnerships in support of affected communities.

Our sincere thanks to Federal Department of Foreign Affairs 🇨🇭, Auswärtiges Amt 🇩🇪, and the European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) 🇪🇺 for supporting this event.

22/06/2026

Happening now in : Syrian Mine Action Partner Workshop in collaboration with the Syrian National Mine Action Centre, which falls under the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management 🇸🇾.

Made possible thanks to Federal Department of Foreign Affairs 🇨🇭, Auswärtiges Amt 🇩🇪 and the European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) 🇪🇺 for supporting this event.

19/06/2026

💡 What if funding could go beyond grants? In this short conversation, María Merchán Rocamora and Tim van Doorne break down innovative finance in mine action, showing how blended, outcome-based approaches are reshaping risk, unlocking new partnerships, and becoming the future of sustainable funding for impact on the ground.

A big thank you to our donors: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 🇬🇧, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken 🇳🇱, and European Commission Service for Foreign Policy Instruments 🇪🇺 for supporting this work.
https://link.gichd.org/InnovFinance

18/06/2026

Strengthening partnerships to support national ownership in mine action. 🤝

Today, our Director, Amb. Tobias Privitelli and Agi Veres, Director, United Nations Development Programme - UNDP Office in Geneva signed a Memorandum of Understanding between UNDP and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - GICHD. This MoU aims to enhance collaboration in support of national mine action authorities. Through improved coordination, knowledge exchange, capacity development and technical cooperation, our partnership aims to help countries strengthen their ability to lead and manage effective mine action responses.

Together, the GICHD and UNDP will work to advance innovative approaches, strengthen information management and technical guidance, and contribute to more timely, targeted and coordinated efforts in explosive ordnance-contaminated settings, supporting sustainable development and safer communities.

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

We are pleased to renew our Memorandum of Understanding with the អាជ្ញាធរមីន - Cambodian Mine Action Authority , reaffirming our long-standing in support of mine action in 🇰🇭. The renewed agreement was signed yesterday by our Director, Ambassador Tobias Privitelli and H.E. Ly Panharith, Secretary General of CMAA.

Building on our shared commitment to reducing risks from explosive ordnance and strengthening national capacities, the renewed partnership provides a framework for continued cooperation across mine action, including the development of methodologies and standards, knowledge exchange, research and lessons learned, training and workshops, technical advice and advisory support, capacity enhancement, and support to effective coordination, management, and implementation in line with international standards and good practice.

16/06/2026

📢 Consultancy Opportunity. We are seeking offers from two National Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihoods experts to support a GICHD–FAO project on integrated mine action and agri-food systems recovery in and .

The consultants will contribute technical expertise to integrate agriculture, rural livelihoods and food security considerations into policy frameworks, rapid analysis and locally led solutions in Explosive Ordnance-affected contexts. Areas of work include agricultural and land-use analysis, food security and displacement dynamics, community consultations, post-clearance livelihood solutions, and context-sensitive recovery planning.

Find out more and apply by 5 July 2026 🔻
https://link.gichd.org/Job-Agri

16/06/2026

: The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention intersessional meetings have started, and in his opening statement, our Director, Ambassador Tobias Privitelli underscored the continued importance of international humanitarian law and the norms that protect people from the devastating effects of anti-personnel mines and other explosive ordnance.

At a time when humanitarian obligations face growing challenges, the Convention is still a powerful example of how collective commitment can save lives, reduce suffering, and strengthen human security. As Amb. Privitelli noted, the Convention mattered when it was adopted nearly three decades ago, and it still matters today❗

We welcome ’s recent accession to the Convention and ’s completion of its Article 5 obligations, important milestones that reaffirm both the humanitarian purpose of the Convention and the enduring strength of the norm against anti-personnel mines.

The progress achieved over the past three decades is the result of sustained political commitment, international cooperation, and a shared determination to translate humanitarian principles into action.

Over the coming days, our GICHD colleagues will contribute to discussions, sharing perspectives on Convention implementation, national ownership, inclusion, sustainable capacity development, and support for affected communities. Amb. Privitelli will meet numerous delegations, including from Thailand, Senegal and Cambodia.

All our statements are available here: https://link.gichd.org/Insights