European Union

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 09 October 2015

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.