After extensive fires and the loss of equipment, the college has reopened its doors to 450 students, who can now acquire practical skills in the renovated facilities — taking a step toward rebuilding their own future and the country.The village of Katyuzhanka in the Kyiv region has always been a vibrant community. Since 1953, the Katyuzhanka Vocational College has been operating continuously, renowned for training skilled professionals across a range of fields — from agriculture and transport to food technology and service industries. The college has become a hub of opportunities for young people seeking practical knowledge and professional skills. Under these conditions, continuing education was impossible and unsafe. Only later was the learning process resumed online. However, remote learning can never fully replace in-person education, especially when it comes to practical training. This is particularly important for the college, as it prepares future chefs, tractor operators, drivers, and other tradespeople that the country urgently needs.Over the years, the Katyuzhanka Vocational College has trained around 25,000 skilled professionals across 15 vocational specialties. They successfully work in key areas of the agro-industrial sector, manage enterprises and educational institutions, and continue their studies at higher education institutions.
  The destruction caused by the war was extensive. Some of the college’s facilities were restored through the efforts of the local community, while others were repaired with the support of international partners, including UNOPS.The college was included in the scope of  the “School Repairs in Ukraine” project, implemented by UNOPS with financial support from the European Union. The renovation work focused on several rooms that had suffered the most from the fires.Now, repair works at the college have been completed, and the facilities are ready for practical lessons in the new academic year. Looking at the photos after the restoration, it is hard to believe that a major fire once occurred here.  On 1 September this year, the college reopened its doors to students. They can now continue their studies in the renovated facilities. “The restored college provides continuous education, retraining, and skills development for members of the community, which is key to adapting to change and successfully rebuilding the country. This year, we started the academic year with 450 students, and the renovated facilities are already being used to train skilled workers in agriculture, mechanization and transport, food technology, and the service sector,” said Ruslan Nedashkivskyi, the college director. About the projectThe Schools Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, aims to repair educational facilities that have been damaged during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This $30 million initiative is being implemented in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv, focusing on schools requiring light to medium repair work.The primary objective of the project is to provide access to repaired school facilities which will increase the proportion of children receiving face-to-face education. By rehabilitating more than 70 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where students can continue their education without interruption.

Yet, with the ongoing large-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, the Convention must now prove its resilience under the strain and focus on ensuring safety for civilians living under the constant threats of explosive remnants of war, such as mines, parts of drones and missiles. Protecting civilians at the heart of mine action  Mines continue to threaten lives in dozens of countries, restrict freedom of movement, and limit access to land, education, and healthcare. For this reason, clearing contaminated areas and supporting survivors remain key priorities in mine action worldwide, particularly in Ukraine. Since entering into force in 1999, the Convention has delivered tangible results: more than 53 million landmines have been destroyed, millions of hectares of land have been cleared and made safe for people to live and work, and landmine survivors have become active participants in recovery and decision-making processes that affect their lives. Behind these figures are real human stories. Paul Heslop, Senior Mine Action Advisor at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Ukraine, notes that each mine cleared allows another family to return to safety.  Mine action – a path to peace,  recovery and partnership Clearing mines is only the first step. Mine action creates the foundations for peace, development, and a life of dignity. In Ukraine, demining farmland enables farmers to restore their harvests and contribute to global food security. Mine action contributes directly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, including eradicating poverty, hunger, and inequality, while strengthening peace, justice, and strong institutions. Without it, other recovery efforts remain impossible. Paul Heslop recalls seeing the partnerships in action - humanitarian organizations, national authorities, and United Nations partners are clearing contaminated land, educating communities on risk and building national mine action systems. In the Kharkiv Oblast, mine action teams are racing to make farmland safe in a compensation programme funded by the government.  The United Nations in Ukraine continues to work with national and international partners to support mine action that protects civilians and lays the foundation for peace and sustainable recovery. New technologies are also transforming the field. Drones, artificial intelligence, digital mapping, and advanced mechanical systems are accelerating survey and clearance, while enhancing both effectiveness and safety for deminers. But beyond technology, it’s about people: training local experts, including women and veterans, improving facilities so teams can work year-round, and raising awareness in communities to prevent new tragedies. Last, not least, supporting survivors on their journey to recovery has become an integral part of the mine action in Ukraine, including their voices on how to address the consequences of mines are heard. As the Ukrainian experience clearly shows, the way forward lies in sustained partnership and practical mine action, combining concrete actions with a tangible commitment to protect civilians who are still living under threat. For them, demining is a hope for returning home and restoring livelihoods. And it could be the only hope. The article is based on the blog by Paul Heslop and Sonia Pabley, originally published in the UN Chronicle. 

Iryna faced an impossible choice when the war in Ukraine reached her hometown, Berdiansk, in 2022. Her mother urgently needed medicine that was no longer available in the city under occupation. “There was only one option: I had to leave, to walk, to deliver the medicines needed,” Iryna recalled. She and another woman walked for two days, trying to escape the war-torn city. They both reached Zaporizhzhia City and ensured that Iryna’s mother received the necessary treatment. But Iryna’s health soon deteriorated. Her leg was amputated due to a serious illness, and weakness in her arms left her unable to move independently. For more than three years, she has lived in a collective centre for displaced people, dependent on a wheelchair.   Restoring dignity through supportTo support Iryna, non-governmental organization Rokada Charitable Foundation, with funding from the OCHA-managed Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, arranged transport to doctors, and access to specialists and psychosocial care. “For me, Rokada’s work has been extremely valuable, especially the psychologist,” Iryna said. “At first it was hard to open up, to speak about what hurt. It took time. Now, with other residents in the collective site, we are more than neighbours – we have become family.”  Rokada installed two ramps and adapted the centre’s bathrooms, meaning Iryna and other residents with disabilities can now move around more freely. “Now I can go to the hospital or the shop by myself,” she said. “Without Rokada’s help, I would just sit and stare out the window – my life would have ended there.” Iryna is one of thousands of Ukrainians with disabilities living in collective centres after fleeing front-line areas or losing their homes. According to the latest situation overview on population profiling in collective centres, about 72,000 vulnerable  displaced people – including older people, people with disabilities and households with limited resources – live in some 1,500 collective sites across the country. Supporting these groups is one of four priorities under the Ukraine 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan. By the end of August more than 130,000 displaced people with disabilities had received at least one type of humanitarian assistance in 2025. Across Ukraine, organizations such as Rokada – supported by pooled funds – are providing vital care and restoring dignity for thousands of displaced people. Iryna still does not know what tomorrow will bring. But thanks to the support she has received, she says her world is no longer black and white. Colour has returned to her life. By Olena Danylyshyn, Rokada Charitable Foundation and Viktoriia Andriievska, OCHA  
 

Karyna joined the State Emergency Service in 2015. Her professional career began in the Fire Department, and after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she made an important decision to undergo training and join the humanitarian demining team.Could you tell us about your profession and what your work involves?
We work on demining territories – agricultural lands, forest belts, and entire settlements. There are five of us in the unit: myself, a senior deminer, a deminer, and two deminer-drivers. We operate wherever the war has left its mark, helping people return to a safe and peaceful life. I’m originally from the Dnipro region and live in Kryvyi Rih, but our team often works in other areas as well – in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions. Each area has its own story, its own painful past, but we all share one goal to make these places safe again.What motivated you to join demining? How did your professional career in this field begin?
Ever since school, I’ve dreamed of helping people. I wanted my work to truly make a difference. After finishing school, I enrolled at the Higher Vocational School of the Lviv State University of Life Safety in Vinnytsia. My professional journey began in the fire service – I first worked as a firefighter. When Russia’s full-scale invasion started, my father went to war and was seriously wounded. Around that time, the State Emergency Service began expanding its demining departments, and I decided to join them. I felt that I had to be useful – to help our people and to serve my country.How long did the training last, and how prepared did you feel for real work in the field?
I initially studied within the State Emergency Service and obtained a degree in fire safety, which I applied in my work. Later, I retrained at the humanitarian demining center, which was then based in the Kharkiv region. After completing my training, I was appointed to a new position as Head of the Pyrotechnic Operations Unit of the Pyrotechnic Operations Group within the Pyrotechnic Operations, Underwater and Humanitarian Demining Division. I had to learn everything again – from scratch. The training lasted three months; it was a shortened program due to the situation in the country. I started with no prior knowledge in this field and there was a lot of information to absorb, but everyone in the team supported and guided me.How did your family and friends react to your choice?
My family was very concerned at first. Of course, it was difficult for them to accept my decision. They did not want me to do that because it was dangerous. However, it was hard to stop me – I knew exactly what I wanted. Eventually, everyone accepted it, even though their anxiety never went away. Now they're used to it, but they still worry quietly. Especially when I go on rotation. That anxiety is always there.Do you remember your first demining case?
To be honest, I don't remember it. However, I remember my first rotation well. We were based in the Kharkiv region at that time. It was my first experience in the field. Fortunately, I worked with experienced deminers. They supported me, guided me, and taught me everything I didn't know yet. Thanks to them, I quickly adapted to the work and realized that I had found my place.Having started as a deminer, you have grown in this field. What has your professional path in demining been like?
Yes, of course, I have certainly developed in my profession. Every day brings something new – I am constantly learning, getting new information, and gaining experience. In this job, it couldn't be any other way – every trip, every task brings new knowledge. The position I came to is still mine today and I am growing every day – in practice, in skills, in self-confidence. What does your working day look like? What are your daily responsibilities and working conditions?
We have a typical five-day working week. We arrive at 8 a.m., and if there are requests from the public or letters requesting surveys of areas, we go out there and operate. After we come back, we still have to complete all the documents, which means that the working day does not end immediately after leaving the field – there is still paperwork to do. If there are no external requests, we work in our office: we keep the premises in order, check and manage the material resources, and conduct training sessions with the personnel. No one here sits idle – there is always work to be done, and there is always something that needs attention.  Your profession may seem extremely dangerous to other people. How did you manage to overcome your fears?
Fear is always present, and that's normal. If it did not exist, it would be dangerous. It helps you assess a situation clearly and act appropriately, rather than simply running through a minefield because you are not afraid. At first, I was worried because I had practically no experience. I was afraid of doing something wrong, not knowing something, or not having enough time. But we have a very good team – experienced deminers are always ready to advise and help if necessary. Experience comes with time, and many actions eventually become automatic. The key is to make a plan of action, proceed cautiously, and never rush.What stereotypes have you faced as a woman in this profession?
Of course, sometimes I’ve heard that this is not a woman's job, that I shouldn't be here. But I guess I’m lucky to have a good team, and I know how to communicate with people – I haven’t had any problems in that regard. I have always been well respected, and I strive to work on an equal basis with everyone. I never say, “I am a woman, I cannot do this,” because the work is the same for everyone. Today, there are many professions where women successfully replace men, and demining is not an exception.What is your equipment like? Are the uniforms and protective gear comfortable, especially for women?
For field missions, I have a body armor vest, helmet, and protection for my neck, chest, and groin area. If we're dealing with cluster munition or a self-destruct mechanism, we put on a special EOD suit – it's the only way to approach such items safely. I know that there are body armor vests designed for women, but we don't have them yet. I didn't find the regular body armor vest particularly uncomfortable. I’ve seen women's body armor, and our leadership plans to order them for us and our women medics. I can't say yet how comfortable they are in practice, but they will probably be a bit more comfortable. They have a soft inner lining, so you don't feel the heavy plates directly on your body. Overall, comfort also depends on each person's physiology.What motivates you?
What motivates me most is that I understand what we are working for. When we clear an area from mines or survey a field upon request, it is important to know that, once our work is done, people will be able to use their land safely. And what inspires us most is when, after our work in the communities, people can live peacefully, children can play, and living conditions become safe again. That is what gives us the strength to do our work. What helps you stay productive after tough working days?
I try to recover both physically and mentally. I love going to the gym – working out helps me take my mind off things and clear my head. I also try to spend time with my family, because I don't see them very often, and meeting with friends really helps as well. Getting a good night’s sleep is also very important: I go to bed early so I can rest well and return to work feeling refreshed. If I have a day off, I try to spend it outdoors – walking in the park, going to the river, meeting up with friends. We discuss everything that is happening at work, and it helps me unwind. Then, on Monday, I go back to work with renewed energy.What would you say to women and girls who want to get involved in demining but have doubts or think it's “not a woman's job”?
Anyone has the right to try. Everyone is in charge of their own life. If you sit around thinking, “I won't be able to do it” or “This isn't for me,” nothing will change. It's better to try: you can take training, basic courses, or at least talk to people who already work in this field. The most important thing is to be open to new experiences and figure out if it's right for you. Talking with experienced colleagues helps you believe in yourself and take that first step. Maybe this will be the start of your journey toward a job that changes people's lives for the better.This publication has been produced with the financial support of the governments of Canada and Croatia, but this does not imply that the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the official position of the United Nations.