Childhood Amid Mines: The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation Marks International Mine Awareness Day

Every year on 4 April, the world marks the International Day for Mine Awareness. These days, amid the active phase of the large-scale war in Ukraine, this problem has not only acquired new meanings, but has become urgent like never before.

According to the UN, until recently Donbass remained one of the most mine contaminated areas on the planet. After the beginning of the new stage of the war in Ukraine, this danger spread to other regions of our country. As a result, the lives of millions of people are exposed to constant threat, and the lives of children in the first place. Playgrounds, parks and other children’s leisure areas are strewn with explosives.

Unfortunately, children often do not understand the danger posed by explosives or hand grenades, and they get severe injuries and even lifelong disability.

In March 2016, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation launched its project Rehabilitation of Injured Children. Children who suffered physical injuries attended 139 courses of rehabilitation treatment. Girls and boys with severe injuries underwent rehabilitation in the best sanatoriums (rehabilitation facilities) of Ukraine under individually selected methods of physical and psychological assistance. Most of them need another round of rehabilitation, and the Foundation helps them to receive it. For some of the children, the rehabilitation or recovery process takes several years, and for many of them it is a lifelong challenge.

In February 2022, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation decided to expand its activities under the program Rinat Akhmetov. Saving Lives – Rehabilitation of Injured Children, which was established in 2014 in order to help children from Donetsk and Luhansk regions affected by the hostilities. Further on, the program will operate to cover all the regions of Ukraine.

During 16 years of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation’s work, five million children received support along a number of focal areas.