Removal of rubble in Kharkov. UN helped Ukraine clear 1 million tons of rubble UN
Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has been supporting Ukraine in clearing the rubble. One million tons of debris were removed during this period, marking a major milestone in the country’s recovery efforts.
According to an analysis conducted by the World Bank Group, the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission and the United Nations, with the support of other partners, by the end of 2024, direct damage to buildings and infrastructure in Ukraine reached US$176 billion.
The rubble has become one of the most serious and urgent obstacles to the reconstruction of the affected areas and the return of Ukrainians to their homes.
UNDP supported early recovery activities in 26 districts of Chernigov, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Kherson, Kyiv, Nikolaev, Sumy and Zaporozhye regions.
As of the beginning of 2026, a volume of construction debris comparable in weight to three Empire State Building skyscrapers had been removed and sorted. This made it possible to restore safe access to more than 200 facilities, as well as to repair residential buildings, schools, hospitals and industrial enterprises.
In implementing these works, special attention was paid to the involvement of local residents: more than 400 locally hired workers were involved throughout the country.
Clearance activities were carried out in accordance with strict protocols for the safe handling of hazardous waste, including materials containing asbestos, and systematic sorting for subsequent recycling.
“As communities across Ukraine continue to face widespread destruction, managing millions of tons of rubble is placing a tremendous burden on local authorities,” said Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction of Ukraine Alexey Kuleba, highlighting the critical role of UNDP in clearing the rubble.
“In 2026, UNDP will strive for new results, working together with the government of Ukraine to create a holistic, coordinated and sustainable national construction waste management system,” said UNDP Representative for Ukraine Auke Lootsma.