Two Workers Killed: Norwegian Demining Operations in Ukraine Halted

Norwegian People's Aid Suspends Demining Work in Ukraine

According to Главком: Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), a humanitarian organization, has suspended all demining activities in Ukraine due to safety concerns for its staff. This decision follows a Russian attack that killed two of its employees.

Since beginning operations in Ukraine in 2022, the organization has focused on demining, food security, and protecting civilians.

The incident occurred during a shelling of the village of Novopetrivka in the Kherson region. In addition to the two fatalities, four NPA staff members were injured and hospitalized. The organization employs 475 people in Ukraine.

Raymond Johansen, NPA Secretary General: 'This is horrific. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected. Our top priority now is to care for them, the wounded, and our other colleagues both in Ukraine and back home. We are all deeply shaken by what happened.'

Johansen also highlighted the dangers humanitarian workers face in conflict zones: 'This attack shows just how dangerous it is to be a humanitarian worker in war and conflict. Unfortunately, it is part of a very troubling trend: humanitarian organizations like ours are protected by international law, yet they are increasingly being targeted. Ultimately, this harms the civilians who depend on our aid.'

The suspension of NPA’s work in Ukraine underscores the growing risks for humanitarian personnel in conflict areas, potentially complicating the delivery of aid to civilians in desperate need. At the same time, this incident emphasizes the critical importance of ensuring the safety of humanitarian organizations operating in war zones, as their work is vital to saving lives and supporting the well-being of populations affected by conflict.

The tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of two NPA workers is not an isolated case. Just recently, a demining expert was killed in a Russian strike in the same region, highlighting the escalating dangers faced by humanitarian personnel. This growing threat complicates the already challenging environment for delivering essential aid to civilians in conflict-affected areas.