On June 29, JICA held the first of a series of online seminars (four sessions planned) to share Japan’s knowledge and experience in disaster waste management with Ukraine, which is facing difficulties in dealing with the large amount of destructive waste* generated by the military invasion by Russia.
In order to improve Ukraine’s capacity to dispose of urban waste, which is increasing due to economic growth after independence, JICA has been supporting Ukraine by conducting a survey to understand the actual situation in 2018 and dispatching waste management experts from 2020. This seminar was part of those support activities.
From Ukraine, the Ministry of Local Government Development and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources spoke, and from Japan, JICA officials, JICA experts from Nippon Koei, Japan Environmental Sanitation Center, and officials from Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, spoke. In addition, over 120 people including representatives from the cities and provinces of Keaau, Halkiu, and Dnipro participated in the conference.
First, the Japanese side provided information on disaster waste disposal in Japan, including an overview of waste disposal during the Great East Japan Earthquake, sorting methods, and temporary storage arrangements. Then, the Ukrainian side reported on the status of generation and treatment of destructive waste in various regions, and explained the current situation where it is difficult to simultaneously dispose of destructive waste while undergoing destruction. The participants deepened mutual understanding of Japan’s experience and Ukraine’s current situation and challenges. During the Q&A session, the Ukrainian side asked many questions, including about the operation of temporary storage of waste in the event of a disaster, and the high demand for information on the treatment of destructive waste was once again felt. In the next and subsequent seminars, we plan to focus on the knowledge and experience of Japanese administration, local governments, related specialized organizations, and private companies, depending on the interest of the Ukrainian side.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Yevhenny Fedorenko said, “I would like to thank JICA for the timely organization of the seminar and for their continuous support. After the war is over, we will surely recover. I believe that Japan’s knowledge and experience will be useful”. During the online commemorative photo session at the end of the seminar, an official of Higashimatsushima City held up a message written in Ukrainian: “I wish that peace will come to Ukraine as soon as possible”.
The second and subsequent seminars will be held sequentially through October of this year.
Note: The
In Ukraine, debris and other wastes resulting from war are referred to as Destruction Waste.
Buildings in the city of Kieu destroyed by Russian troops
© Source JICA