UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, and Crisis Bureau Director Shoko Noda gave an exclusive interview to Interfax-Ukraine during her visit to Ukraine this September. As the country nears the third year of its full-scale invasion, Noda told of the pivotal role of UNDP in supporting Ukraine's recovery efforts, and the organization's focus on early recovery activities essential for helping Ukrainians rebuild their lives amidst ongoing war.

Text: Valerie Proshchenko, Maria Stupak

 

First of all, could you tell us about your visit to Ukraine, its goals, and, who you met with? What key messages and appeals did you hear from Ukrainian officials, and what is UNDP prioritizing now, as Ukraine approaches the third year of the full-scale invasion?

As well as meeting members of UNDP’s project teams in Ukraine, I met with several senior Ukrainian officials to discuss UNDP’s support for local and national recovery efforts. As the war in Ukraine continues, early recovery support is playing a critical role in helping Ukrainians get back on their feet. UNDP in Ukraine’s programmatic response since the full-scale war – in line with what government officials have told UNDP are their priorities – comprises five main areas of work: crisis response, maintaining public services, safe returns and infrastructure rehabilitation, inclusive economic growth, and maintaining social fabric and supporting civil society.

In a crisis, humanitarian support saves lives. But early recovery work is equally important – it enables people to restart their lives and support themselves.  Supporting small businesses, skills training for in-demand jobs, restoring the energy supply, and clearing mines and other explosive remnants of war are key to recovery efforts.

 

As far as I understand, you visited the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv oblasts. Could you tell us a bit more about the UNDP projects already implemented there, or those currently underway?

In Odesa, I visited Made in Ukraine, an initiative supporting small-scale manufacturers and local economic recovery. Launched in May 2024, this joint UNDP-Ukraine government platform has assisted 389 entrepreneurs, including 32 veterans. With over 5,000 new small businesses launched in 2023, supporting such enterprises is essential for regional and national recovery.

I also met with students at Higher Professional School 21, a vocational training center in Mykolaiv, learning in-demand professions including electricians, tractor drivers, and systems administrators. This UNDP-supported center is part of a wider effort to address the skills gap in Ukraine – it’s estimated that Ukraine needs 4.5 million additional workers to grow the economy by 7 percent annually until 2030.

In Kyiv Oblast, I met with the female handlers of a team of 16 technical survey dogs – dogs that are specially trained to safely detect mines and other explosive remnants of war. One dog can clear up to 1,500 square meters of land per day, vastly outperforming the 50 square meters cleared by a human deminer using the manual method, meaning it’s up to 75 times more efficient than a human deminer!

 

We know that UNDP is playing an important role in the issue of recovery in Ukraine: Can you share the achievements of the projects dealing with debris clearance and school restoration?

Debris removal is the first step to recovery. UNDP promotes and advocates for sustainable debris management practices in Ukraine. We don’t just remove debris – we offer solutions and models for debris recycling, clearing away the debris of buildings destroyed in the war and recycling it for reuse in other construction projects. By reusing debris for roads and other construction, there is less waste, fewer emissions, and a more readily available supply of materials.

To date, UNDP has cleared 245,000 cubic metres of debris – that’s enough to fill almost 100 Olympic swimming pools.

In Mykolaiv, I saw the profound impact of war. Over 1,800 households and many schools and universities have been damaged or destroyed. Amongst them is Mykolaiv Sukhomlynskyi National University. The destruction there left 28,000 cubic meters of debris – enough to fill over 11 Olympic-size swimming pools. So UNDP is setting up a debris recycling station here in this city to help sort and process the debris.

Beyond immediate cleanup efforts, we’re aiming to empower communities to manage debris independently. The Bucha recycling station, which UNDP helped set up, is a good example of this approach.

Additionally, we have delivered 64 pieces of heavy machinery for debris management to local communities throughout Ukraine, including 41 units for emergency services in Kherson Oblast.

As for schools: The war has disrupted education for more than 5 million girls and boys in Ukraine. Nearly 4,000 schools, pre-schools, and other educational facilities have been damaged or destroyed.

I had the opportunity to visit the Mykolaiv Higher School of Physical Education, which has been restored by UNDP and the European Union. The school now features a fully equipped shelter, allowing children to continue studying safely even if an air raid siren goes off. The project is designed to facilitate light repairs of 66 schools and the re-equipping of 112 schools across 11 oblasts of Ukraine. It includes replacing windows, repairing roofs, sanitary facilities, heating systems, and refurbishing bomb shelters.

As of 1 September, when the school year in Ukraine began, repairs of 30 schools had been fully completed, allowing more than 13,500 children and 1,200 teachers to return to their renovated schools.

 

Regarding the innovative waste recycling station created in Bucha, are there plans to establish similar stations in other oblasts of Ukraine?

Now we’re working to replicate this model in other communities: In Chernihiv and Mykolaiv, we’ve provided equipment for debris screening and crushing, and local authorities are in the process of establishing recycling sites.

Additionally, the equipment we are supplying is mobile, so once it meets the needs of one community, it can be relocated to support others.

 

I understand that there isn't an exact assessment plan yet, but how does UNDP roughly evaluate the current situation in the energy sector, and how is it prepared to assist, or already assist, the Ukrainian government in light of the ongoing Russian attacks?

Recent attacks on Ukraine have severely impacted the energy system, posing significant challenges for the upcoming winter. By June 2024, attacks had destroyed 80% of Ukraine's thermal and one-third of its hydroelectric power generation capacity.

Most Ukrainian households faced daily electricity outages averaging 5.7 hours per day. Winter forecasts indicate even more severe restrictions.

The UN is finalizing a rapid assessment of the energy crisis's human, economic, and social impacts. This assessment will inform responses to electricity outages and efforts to prepare Ukraine for winter. It's designed to pinpoint population vulnerabilities, prioritize resources, and guide coordinated interventions by the UN and national partners. The results are expected at the end of September 2024.

The UN, through UNDP, has helped secure stable energy access for more than 6 million Ukrainians and is now working to procure more large-scale energy equipment. The UN strategy focuses on strengthening Ukraine's energy infrastructure by promoting decentralized power generation, diversifying energy sources, and boosting energy efficiency.

As part of these efforts, UNDP's Green Energy Recovery Program, with a budget of about U.S. $238 million, is making strides in restoring infrastructure and supporting Ukraine’s shift to green energy. The program’s key achievements include providing gas generation as well as solar energy, autotransformers, gas boosters, and other critical equipment for winter preparations, and launching the "Build Back Greener" initiative with Ukraine's Ministry of Energy.

UNDP is also focusing on long-term resilience by developing local authority capacity, increasing women's roles in the energy sector, conducting feasibility studies for sustainable energy solutions at regional and community levels, and prioritizing energy efficiency to reduce consumption, costs, and system stress.

Regarding the mobile employment offices – how is this project getting on?

Well, with the Mobile Employment Centres, which are funded by Germany and provided by UNDP, we aim to tackle Ukraine's high unemployment rates. These centers operate in the southern, eastern, and southeastern regions and are fully equipped with tents, collapsible furniture, Starlink Internet terminals, generators, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, and heaters. They enable people from remote communities to access state programs.

According to the administration of the State Employment Service in Odesa Oblast, which I recently visited, this initiative has accelerated job searches, facilitated filling vacancies, and increased awareness of business and educational opportunities in the region.

In 2024, the Odesa centre reported that the mobile service had visited 14 communities, providing consultations and assistance to over 1,100 people. As a result, 468 unemployed individuals and entrepreneurs were enrolled in various initiatives.

 

Turning to the topic of humanitarian demining: About 25% of Ukraine's territory is contaminated with mines and explosive items. What is UNDP doing in this sphere to help Ukrainians? In particular, I know that the most problematic issue here is the equipment, which is scarce and very expensive.

The minefields in Ukraine cover an area larger than England, posing a significant obstacle to Ukraine’s recovery, economy, and global food security.  Clearing these mines requires substantial investments and new demining methods. Landmines have forced many Ukrainian farmers off their land, hurting agriculture – a vital part of the economy. This affects the entire world since millions rely on Ukraine for food. Clearing Ukraine’s minefields quickly is essential to ensure these countries have affordable food. Ukraine has surveyed 35,000 square kilometers, declaring them mine-free, and is developing new mine-clearing technologies. But there’s still a lack of funding to continue this work.

UNDP has been actively working to support demining efforts in Ukraine. We have focused on capacity building, training local demining teams, and providing necessary equipment to enhance safety and efficiency. Despite the challenge of limited and costly equipment, we have succeeded in securing partnerships to donate advanced demining tools and protective gear. Additionally, awareness campaigns have been initiated to inform communities about the risks of unexploded ordnance while accelerating the safe return of displaced populations.

UNDP has provided a substantial batch of demining and protective equipment to 202 demining units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), consisting of 1,010 deminers, which is around 80 percent of all the SESU capacities. The batch includes demining equipment, personal protective equipment and communication and electronic devices. The donors are Japan, Sweden, EU, and Denmark among others. Additionally, 15 specialized armored vehicles were provided.

 

Can you tell us more about the testing of drones and innovative technologies for use in humanitarian demining in Ukraine?

UNDP, in collaboration with tech partners and national authorities, is exploring the use of drones, technical survey dogs, and other innovative technologies in humanitarian demining. Drones equipped with advanced sensors are being used to survey large areas quickly, identify potential threats, and assist in mapping mine-contaminated zones efficiently. Technical survey dogs are being trained to detect mines and unexploded ordnance with high accuracy. These dogs, with their keen sense of smell, can navigate challenging terrain and help pinpoint exact locations of hidden explosives, thus increasing the speed and safety of the demining process. Trained dogs can inspect up to 1,500 square meters of land daily, up to 75 times faster than a human.

Now we’re working with the national authorities to include dogs in clearance efforts, and UNDP, the Mines Advisory Group, animal training organization APOPO, and other international partners, have supported the opening of a new dog training center.

Over the next months, the teams will be surveying near the frontline in Kharkiv Oblast.  Additionally, recent testing of mine-detection innovations organized by UNDP in Ukraine revealed promising advances in the methods used to detect landmines and explosive remnants of war. The innovation teams achieved results as high as 78% for detecting items on the surface, around 70% for detecting metal and buried items, and 62% for detecting plastic items. While it might take a person several hours to analyze half a hectare, the AI can do it in just a few minutes. Together, these innovations are proving instrumental in enhancing detection rates while minimizing risks to human deminers.

 

How much time, in your opinion, might be needed to clear the territory?

Complete clearance of mine-contaminated areas is a complex and time-consuming endeavor. The duration will depend on various factors, including the level of contamination, available resources, and technological advancements in demining. With sustained effort and improved technology, significant progress could be made within several years, but with traditional methods of demining, it may well take a hundred years to fully clear and certify all affected regions as safe, especially considering the continuous nature of the conflict and contamination. To achieve this huge task, investment is needed in innovative demining and innovative financing.

 

I saw the news that UNDP recently donated modern equipment to the UNBROKEN Centers to enhance rehabilitation. What are the results of the collaboration with these centers? Apart from UNBROKEN, who else is UNDP working with to assist in rehabilitation?

UNDP has been very active in strengthening rehabilitation services across Ukraine. We recently delivered advanced equipment, including a robotic milling machine for prosthetics and specialized eye prosthetic kits, significantly improving care at UNBROKEN centers. This equipment enhances prosthetic production efficiency, speeding up recovery for patients affected by war-related injuries. The eye prosthetic kits in Lviv have already helped patients restore their appearance and confidence.

Beyond this, UNDP has equipped nine medical institutions and two state rehabilitation institutions in five oblasts of Ukraine with $1 million worth of modern rehabilitation equipment.

UNDP also developed a comprehensive rehabilitation model for visually impaired patients, which was piloted in Lviv and Vinnytsia. This model includes orientation training, Braille learning, and the use of assistive technologies, ensuring holistic care. Over 700 specialists have already been trained, with 18 focusing on mobility and orientation support for visually impaired individuals.

Additionally, through partnerships, we’ve supported inclusive workplaces and helped individuals with disabilities gain employment. Right now, 15 healthcare professionals from Ukraine are in Denmark for a training programme supported by UNDP, focusing on advanced rehabilitation techniques to improve care for civilians and veterans with severe injuries from explosive ordnance in Ukraine.

 

How do you engage young people in recovery projects?

UNDP engages youth through supporting initiatives that empower and inspire them. For instance, the Youth Worker program, celebrating its 10th anniversary, has been crucial in the development of Ukrainian youth.

Involving young people in recovery is vital for sustainable communities and social cohesion. Ukrainian young people have shown remarkable activism as volunteers and advocates for humanitarian aid, highlighting their essential role in building a resilient future. This is supported by a 2024 study by UNDP-UNFPA, which shows that 51% of young people were engaged in volunteering, up from 42% in 2023. But despite these numbers, only 32% felt they could personally influence changes in their community, with 58% believing they could not. This underscores the need for initiatives that place young people at the forefront of recovery efforts.

Another key initiative is the VidNOVA program, which engages young people in recovery efforts, while also strengthening national unity and social cohesion. VidNOVA aligns local efforts with global priorities, fostering collaboration between local authorities and youth organizations and encouraging greater community involvement.

In 2023, under the program, 24 youth centers were renovated, attracting over 11,000 visitors. This year, VidNOVA became part of the state's Youth of Ukraine program, with plans to renovate 24 more centers. Overall, the program has engaged over 1,400 participants in visits to more than 45 communities across Ukraine. During my visit to the Hostomel community, I saw the program in action. Its continued success promises to inspire other communities across Ukraine to harness the energy and potential of their young people in the recovery process.