The-Slovenian run international demining fund ITF Enhancing Human Security has been present in Ukraine since 2015 but has now opened its office in Kyiv to boost demining efforts and assistance to mine victims.

The office was inaugurated last week as Aleš Musar, the husband of Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar, visited the Ukrainian capital for a summit of partners of heads of state dedicated to mental health.

Financed by the Slovenian Foreign Ministry, the office opened in July. Its staff comprise the head, a project coordinator and a secretary, the ministry told the Slovenian Press Agency on 11 September.

The office is meant to facilitate implementation of ITF projects in Ukraine, enhance the organisation's presence in demining and victim assistance, and help coordinate ITF activities with Ukrainian authorities, as well as with international organisations, NGOs and other stakeholders.

In 2023 and 2024, ITF plans to provide medical rehabilitation to up to 12 victims of war in Ukraine in collaboration with the Soča Rehabilitation Institute in Ljubljana.

Also planned is a project to boost mental health and psychosocial support for children and their families through the school system in the Odessa and Kherson regions.

ITF also intends to provide mine clearance systems and training involved to Ukrainian Civil Protection units.

The organisation has been present in Ukraine since 2015, mainly in the field of medical rehabilitation of mine victims and psychosocial support for children in conflict areas.

Among other things, ITF has supplied medical equipment for a rehabilitation centre in Kharkiv. During the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion, it also helped out with food and first-aid packages.