European Union
Support for Mine Action
In 2014, the European Union (EU) was the second largest donor in mine action contributing more than €50 million (US$66.8 million) to 15 countries in South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.[1]
The largest contributions went to Turkey and Angola, both receiving the equivalent of more than $25 million each and representing more than three-quarters of the EU’s total funding. The EU has been a major donor in Angola, which benefitted from two grants of about €20 million each under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). As of June 2015, however, it was unclear if the EU would renew its support to demining in Angola after 2016, which could negatively impact the pace of clearance operations.[2]
In June 2015, it was reported that discussions were ongoing concerning a potential EU contribution to support a humanitarian demining project in Colombia (€4 million).[3]
In September 2015, the Vice-President of the European Commission stated that the EU will continue to provide assistance to States Parties that “need support in meeting their commitments under the Ottawa Convention,” as well as to states not party “that significantly support mine action.”[4]
Contributions by recipient: 2014[5]
Recipients |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount ($) |
Turkey |
Clearance |
19,800,000 |
26,328,060 |
Angola |
Clearance and capacity-building |
18,878,140 |
25,102,263 |
Egypt |
Various |
4,705,000 |
6,256,239 |
Ukraine |
Stockpile destruction |
1,800,000 |
2,393,460 |
Serbia & Croatia |
Clearance |
900,000 |
1,196,730 |
Lao PDR |
Various |
818,211 |
1,087,975 |
Palestine |
Clearance |
800,000 |
1,063,760 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Clearance |
767,000 |
1,019,880 |
Chad |
Clearance |
767,000 |
1,019,880 |
Guinea |
Stockpile destruction |
500,000 |
664,850 |
Mozambique |
Advocacy |
194,252 |
258,297 |
Global |
Risk education |
156,898 |
208,627 |
Iraq |
Risk education |
101,535 |
135,011 |
Colombia |
Risk education |
66,133 |
87,937 |
Myanmar |
Risk education |
12,940 |
17,206 |
Total |
|
50,267,109 |
66,840,175 |
In 2014, almost 80% of the total funds provided by the EU were dedicated to mine clearance activities.
Contributions by thematic sector: 2014
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount ($) |
% of contribution |
Clearance |
39,219,204 |
52,149,776 |
78 |
Various |
5,523,211 |
7,344,214 |
11 |
Capacity building |
2,692,936 |
3,580,797 |
5 |
Stockpile destruction |
2,300,000 |
3,058,310 |
5 |
Risk education |
337,506 |
448,782 |
0.5 |
Advocacy |
194,252 |
258,297 |
0.5 |
Total |
50,267,109 |
66,840,175 |
100 |
Since 2010, the EU has consistently ranked amongst the top 10 donors; its contribution for mine action totaling about €178 million ($235 million).
Summary of contributions: 2010–2014[6]
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount ($) |
% change from previous year ($) |
2014 |
50,267,109 |
66,840,175 |
74 |
2013 |
28,958,931 |
38,460,356 |
-37 |
2012 |
47,240,749 |
60,746,879 |
215 |
2011 |
13,852,393 |
19,297,769 |
-61 |
2010 |
37,533,764 |
49,773,524 |
3 |
Total |
177,852,946 |
235,118,703 |
N/A |
Note: N/A = not applicable
[1] Email from Jérôme Legrand, Policy Officer, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Conventional Weapons and Space Division (K1), European External Action Service (EEAS), 11 June 2015. Average exchange rate for 2014: €1=US$1.3297. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2015.
[2] Email to Norwegian People’s Aid from Gerhard Zank, Programme Manager, HALO Trust, 5 May 2014.
[3] Email from Jérôme Legrand, EEAS, 11 June 2015.
[4] European Parliament, Answer to a written question – EU action against mines, 11 September 2015.
[5] Average exchange rate for 2014: €1=US$1.3297. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2015.
[6] See previous Monitor reports.