Western Sahara
Support for Mine Action
In 2014, international assistance to mine action activities in the territory of Western Sahara declined by 43% with Norway and Germany as the sole donors.[1] Additionally, Switzerland provided in-kind assistance valued at CHF450,000 ($491,965) through UNMAS to support clearance operations in Western Sahara.[2]
Western Sahara also receives support for mine action from funds assessed from the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for mine action as part of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) peacekeeping operation. In 2013, the assessed budget for MINURSO totaled almost $3 million, a 13% increase from 2012.[3] As of October 2015, MINURSO mine action budgets were not available for 2014. Between 2010–2013, funding for mine action through MINURSO has accounted for 66% of all mine action funding for Western Sahara.
International contributions: 2014[4]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount |
Amount |
|
Norway |
Clearance |
NOK3,454,000 |
548,524 |
|
Germany |
Victim assistance |
€100,000 |
132,970 |
|
Total |
|
|
681,494 |
In 2010–2013, the total contribution towards mine action in Western Sahara has more than doubled, despite the large fluctuations in assessed mine action funds from the UNGA and in support from international donors.
Summary of all contributions: 2010–2014[5]
|
Year |
Peacekeeping Assessment |
International contributions ($) |
Total contributions ($) |
|
2014 |
N/R |
681,494 |
681,494 |
|
2013 |
2,997,150 |
1,200,179 |
4,197,329 |
|
2012 |
2,600,000 |
399,795 |
2,999,795 |
|
2011 |
1,745,300 |
1,469,390 |
3,214,690 |
|
2010 |
914,750 |
1,102,903 |
2,017,653 |
|
Total |
8,247,200 |
4,853,761 |
13,110,961 |
Note: N/R = not reported
[1] Germany Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 16 March 2015; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Ingrid Schoyen, Senior Adviser, Section for Humanitarian Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 May 2015.
[2] Switzerland Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 29 April 2015. Average exchange rate for 2014: US$1=CHF0.9147. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2015.
[3] UNMAS, “Annual Report 2013,” pp. 37–58.
[4] Average exchange rate for 2014: €1=US$1.3297; NOK6.2969=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2015.
[5] See previous Monitor profiles.