United Kingdom
Support for Mine Action
In 2010 the United Kingdom (UK) contributed £10,573,232 (US$16,337,757) in mine action funding.[1] The largest contribution went to Afghanistan (£1,984,278/$3,066,106), with four additional states/areas (Cambodia, Angola, Falkland Islands/Malvinas, and Sudan) each receiving over £1 million.
The UK provided global support through one organization and support to 15 states and areas through three organizations and one trust fund—the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action (UNVTF).[2]
Contributions by recipient: 2010
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (£) |
Amount ($) |
|
Afghanistan |
Clearance |
1,984,278 |
3,066,106 |
|
Cambodia |
Clearance |
1,440,062 |
2,225,184 |
|
Angola |
Clearance |
1,410,705 |
2,179,821 |
|
Falkland Islands/Malvinas |
Clearance |
1,100,000 |
1,699,720 |
|
Sudan |
Clearance |
1,077,389 |
1,664,781 |
|
Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) |
Clearance |
661,129 |
1,021,577 |
|
Nagorno-Karabakh |
Clearance |
469,321 |
725,195 |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Clearance |
465,202 |
718,830 |
|
Sri Lanka |
Clearance |
433,109 |
669,240 |
|
Somalia |
Clearance |
350,000 |
540,820 |
|
Lao PDR |
Clearance |
319,313 |
493,402 |
|
Lebanon |
Clearance |
253,186 |
391,223 |
|
Mozambique |
Clearance |
205,976 |
318,274 |
|
Global |
Advocacy |
187,084 |
289,082 |
|
Vietnam |
Clearance |
115,853 |
179,016 |
|
Somaliland |
Clearance |
100,625 |
155,486 |
|
Total |
|
10,573,232 |
16,337,757 |
The UK allocated 98% of its mine action support in 2010 for clearance activities.
In its 2010–2013 mine action strategy the Department for International Development (DfID) stated it does not support programs that specifically target mine survivors, and that victim assistance is best provided through health services available to all persons with disabilities.[3] In its initial Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 transparency report, the UK reported on over £75 million in “bilateral expenditure on nondiscriminatory primary health care” for eight states affected by mines and/or cluster munitions.[4]
Contributions by thematic sector: 2010
|
Sector |
Amount |
Amount |
% of total contribution |
|
Clearance |
10,386,148 |
16,048,675 |
98.23 |
|
Advocacy |
187,084 |
289,082 |
1.77 |
|
Total |
10,573,232 |
16,337,757 |
100 |
Of the total funds provided, 68% were allocated for activities where no differentiation was made between landmine and cluster munition related activities, while 32% went towards activities specifically related to mines.
Mine and cluster munition related contributions: 2010
|
Sector |
Amount |
Amount |
% of total contribution |
|
Clearance |
7,010,270 |
10,832,270 |
66.3 |
|
Advocacy |
187,084 |
289,082 |
1.77 |
|
Undifferentiated subtotal |
7,197,354 |
11,121,352 |
68.07 |
|
Mine clearance |
3,375,878 |
5,216,405 |
31.93 |
|
Mine/ERW subtotal |
3,375,878 |
5,216,405 |
31.93 |
|
Total |
10,573,232 |
16,337,757 |
100 |
In 2008 the UK announced it had pledged £30 million ($46,983,000)[5] for mine action from 2010–2012. At the time then-Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander said, “Over the next three years, we will aim to reduce the impact of anti-personnel mines in developing countries through support to well established and effective de-mining organisations. And we will help mine affected countries develop the means to manage and deal with the remaining problems themselves.” [6]
DfID allocated all funding in 2010 with the exception of the £1.1 million towards clearance in the Falkland Islands/Malvinas, which was allocated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.[7]
The UK’s contribution in 2010 decreased by 9% from 2009. Since 2001, DfID has contributed at least £10 million per year for mine action.[8]
Summary of contributions: 2006-2010[9]
|
Year |
Amount (£) |
Amount ($) |
% change from previous year ($) |
|
2010 |
10,573,232 |
16,337,760 |
-9 |
|
2009 |
11,440,275 |
17,916,610 |
-28 |
|
2008 |
13,451,597 |
24,945,990 |
-1 |
|
2007 |
12,586,513 |
25,198,200 |
+30 |
|
2006 |
10,491,251 |
19,339,570 |
-10 |
|
Total |
58,542,868 |
103,738,130 |
N/A |
N/A = Not Applicable
[1]Response to Monitor questionnaire by Hannah Binci, Security and Justice Team, Conflict, Humanitarian and Security Department, DfID, 10 August 2011.
[2] Part of the UK’s contribution to Sudan (£321,248/$496,392) and its entire contributions to the OPT and Somalia were made via the UNVTF.
[3] DfID, “DfID Programme Strategy 2010–2013: Creating a safer environment: Clearing landmines and other explosive remnants of war,” 16 March 2010, www.reliefweb.int.
[4] Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 31 March 2011.
[5] Average exchange rate for 2009: £1=US$1.56610.US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2010.
[6]DfID, “UK steps up landmine fight,” Press release, 25 November 2008, London, webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
[7]Email from Hannah Binci, DfID, 18 August 2011.
[8]DfID, “UK steps up landmine fight,” Press release, 25 November 2008, London, webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk.
[9] See previous editions of Landmine Monitor; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: UK: Support for Mine Action,” www.the-monitor.org, 18 October 2010. Amounts in US$ have been rounded to the nearest ten. Average exchange rate for 2010: £1=US$1.5452; 2009: £1=US$1.5661; 2008: £1=US$1.8545; and 2007: £1=US$2.0020. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 6 January 2011. Average exchange rate for 2006: £1=US$1.8434. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2009.