Who we are
After the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24th, 2022, Ukraine is considered the most polluted country in the world by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) since the Second World War.
As of June 2022, 160 000 km² are under mine action survey. 25% of Ukraine’s farmland is considered unsafe. However, farmers lose their life every day as they disregard existing risks – they need to feed their families as well as their country.
The agricultural sector is at stake – agriculture is a backbone of Ukraine's economy, generating between 20 and 22% of the country's GDP and more than 40% of total export revenues.
Mines are left everywhere: in the houses, in the streets, in the fields, in the forests, in the lakes and rivers. They were left intentionally by the occupants (tank mines, boobytraps, unexploded cluster bombs) or as a result of tanks shooting or artillery shelling.
Our ambition is to make Ukraine a safer place again for farmers and ordinary citizen.
Who we are
After the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24th, 2022, Ukraine is considered the most polluted country in the world by Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) since the Second World War.
As of June 2022, 160 000 km² are under mine action survey. 25% of Ukraine’s farmland is considered unsafe. However, farmers lose their life every day as they disregard existing risks – they need to feed their families as well as their country. The agricultural sector is at stake – agriculture is a backbone of Ukraine's economy, generating between 20 and 22% of the country's GDP and more than 40% of total export revenues.
Mines are left everywhere: in the houses, in the streets, in the fields, in the forests, in the lakes and rivers. They were left intentionally by the occupants (tank mines, boobytraps, unexploded cluster bombs) or as a result of tanks shooting or artillery shelling. Our ambition is to make Ukraine a safer place again for farmers and ordinary citizen
We are supported by
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One day of active war in Ukraine requires
30 days of demining activities
Mine Action
Photo by Andrei Novitsky
Mine clearance
AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu
Risk education
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Int. license
Non technical survey
How are the funds used?
We raise funds to finance governmental and professional organizations that are specialized in mine action. We receive official requests from our accredited partners and conduct due diligence before assistance is made available.
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Sustain mine action programs
Mine action programs are of various nature – mine clearance (Explosive Ordnance Removal), risk education (educate ordinary citizens and farmers), non-technical survey (assessment of land)
Finance team training
Experts estimate that the country will require at least 10 years to clear its land from mines. Additional teams need to be trained by recognized experts to reach International Mine Action Standards.
Buy additional equipment
Mine clearers request specialized equipment that needs to be supplied from abroad – e.g., metal detectors, outfits, drones, pickups, ambulances, etc.
Our team
Dimitri Chichlo
President
Dimitri Chichlo lives in Switzerland since 2009. He has more than 15 years of international experience in cybersecurity, risk management, information technology, operations, digital transformation, audit and finance in various financial institutions. He has lived in Switzerland, Ukraine, Germany, and France. In 2017, he graduated from INSEAD where he earned an Executive MBA. Since 2019, he is a member of the Board of Directors of Ukreximbank (3rd largest bank in Ukraine) where he supervises a deep operational and digital transformation in a corporate turnaround context as chair of the Operations & Digital Committee. In 2020, he founded AndSecure, a consultancy specialized in cybersecurity and digital transformation.
Bertrand de Turckheim
Vice-President
Bertrand de Turckheim lives in Switzerland since 2016. Both French and Swiss citizen, he created there the local subsidiaries of the Paris-based economic intelligence group ALTUM&CO, of which he was one of the founders after leaving the French military institution. Graduate of the École Polytechnique and the École nationale supérieure des télécommunications, he served for 25 years as an officer in intervention units and intelligence agencies. Engaged in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan as a mine and explosives specialist and posted to Guyana and Djibouti as Chief of Staff of the French forces, he ended his career with the rank of colonel and commanded one of the special forces regiments.
Bertrand de Turckheim
Vice-President
Bertrand de Turckheim lives in Switzerland since 2016. Both French and Swiss citizen, he created there the local subsidiaries of the Paris-based economic intelligence group ALTUM&CO, of which he was one of the founders after leaving the French military institution. Graduate of the École Polytechnique and the École nationale supérieure des télécommunications, he served for 25 years as an officer in intervention units and intelligence agencies. Engaged in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan as a mine and explosives specialist and posted to Guyana and Djibouti as Chief of Staff of the French forces, he ended his career with the rank of colonel and commanded one of the special forces regiments.
Olena Neskorod
Treasurer
Olena Neskorod is a Ukrainian national who lives in Geneva for more than 13 years. She is Head of Humanitarian Program for the Geneva Branch of Ukrainian Society of Switzerland and Head of Logistics of association DETI in Geneva.
Your questions answered
Why did we set up the fund?
A recent survey showed that whereas UN agencies and international NGOs received 87% of aid funding for Ukraine, in fact local NGOs and private activists, not international organizations, provide virtually all humanitarian aid to the population. We have lean decision-making processes that allow us to take fast decisions.
Where do the funds go?
Through our international and Ukrainian network, we set up partnerships with reputable national and international organizations that go through due diligence process before partnership is concluded and are subject to internal compliance processes. We release funds upon official requests and after thorough assessment.
How do I know that my funds have reached their destination?
Our partners report on the achieved actions and we control achievement through our network. For provided equipment, we control that the equipment is supplied directly to the teams.
In which countries are the funds disbursed?
Funds are disbursed to purchase equipment from companies located in Switzerland and in the European Union. Equipment is then supplied to Ukraine through our own means to ensure it reaches it destination.
How do you ensure that you properly manage and disburse the funds received?
We have set up the highest standards of corporate governance and ensure compliance with the principles of sound financial management because we believe we owe transparency and accountability to our donors. We release funds upon official requests from accredited organizations, after thorough assessment and decision-making process. Our organization is audited once a year.
What kind of equipment do we purchase?
We buy equipment dedicated to humanitarian demining only. We do not purchase and supply any dual use goods. Equipment is then supplied exclusively to organizations licensed by the Ukrainian State and that perform mine-clearing operations in civilian areas, far from the frontlines - agricultural fields, houses, forest, rivers, lakes. Examples of equipment purchased and supplied include metal detectors, EOD outfits, pickups, civilians drones, laptops, ambulances.
How are the funds used?
We use the funds mainly to purchase equipment that is unavailable in Ukraine from international suppliers and resellers. Funds can also be disbursed to finance awareness campaigns for civilians. Funds are wired to suppliers or partners and subject to bank’s compliance monitoring. No cash is exchanged.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes, in Switzerland, your donation is tax deductible. At the beginning of the next fiscal year, we will send you a receipt that you can use as a proof for tax deductibility.
Who can contribute to the fund?
Anyone can contribute and any amount cumulated can do the job.
Our partners
How to donate
Beneficiary
Address
IBAN (CHF)
IBAN (USD)
SWIFT
Bank
Demine.foundation
Rue Caroline 18, 1227, Les Acacias, Switzerland
CH53 8080 8008 0554 2147 7
CH72 8080 8009 6579 5396 4
RAIFCH22XXX
Raiffeisen Nyon-La Vallée, Avenue Alfred-Cortot 14, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland
Beneficiary
Address
IBAN (CHF)
IBAN (USD)
SWIFT
Bank
Demine.foundation
Rue Caroline 18, 1227, Les Acacias, CH
CH53 8080 8008 0554 2147 7
CH72 8080 8009 6579 5396 4
RAIFCH22XXX
Raiffeisen Nyon-La Vallée, Avenue Alfred-Cortot 14, 1260 Nyon, Switzerland
