EXPLOSIVE HAZARD AWARENESS CARDS FOR UKRAINE

The war in Ukraine has left vast quantities of abandoned and unexploded ordnance (bombs, grenades, landmines, missiles, rockets, shells etc) scattered across the country. These munitions pose a major risk to everybody living and working there, including local people, aid workers and soldiers. Awareness cards can help save lives.

Five million refugees are expected to return to Ukraine when the war ends. These people will encounter ordnance in and around their homes and workplaces, including the fields essential to the agricultural industry. Clearance will take years, during which time people will be exposed to danger from a wide variety of ordnance on a daily basis.

Risk awareness is simply the most cost-effective solution to saving lives and limbs.

Fenix Insight is an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) company that works all over the world and has close ties with the EOD community in Ukraine. Their extensive knowledge of the weapons used there has allowed them to assemble these cards, showing the primary threats from the many types of ordnance known to be present.

Fenix pioneered the use of playing cards for explosive hazard awareness and has proven them to be effective in many post-conflict situations, ranging from Afghanistan to Yemen. Playing cards are cheap, portable and always popular, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background.

These cards have text in Ukrainian and English, with each pack showing around 60 different items of ordnance. Not only does this allow people to recognise threats, but it also means that they can report them accurately to the authorities that will clear them.

Fenix has self-funded the design and production of the first 10,000 packs, but many more are needed; they want to provide at least another 100,000.

One pack of cards, costing less than £2, could potentially save the life of a child – or possibly an entire family. Any contribution you can make will be greatly appreciated.