Lebanon
Support for Mine Action
In 2015, contributions from six international donors for mine action activities in the Republic of Lebanon totaled US$8.7 million, a 38% increase from the $6.1 million reported in 2014.[1] The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) both contributed more than $2 million.
International contributions: 2015[2]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount ($) |
|
EU |
Clearance |
€1,887,500 |
2,094,370 |
|
US |
Clearance |
$2,000,000 |
2,000,000 |
|
Norway |
Clearance |
NOK15,500,000 |
1,921,146 |
|
Netherlands |
Clearance |
€1,560,000 |
1,730,976 |
|
Japan |
Clearance |
¥107,702,664 |
889,737 |
|
South Korea |
Various |
N/R |
39,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
8,675,229 |
Note: N/R = not reported
In 2014, the Ministry of Defense of Lebanon supported the Lebanon Mine Action Center (LMAC) with personnel, facilities, 21 Armed Forces Engineering Regiment teams, as well as three rapid response companies. Lebanon has reported contributing an average of $9 million per year.[3]
Lebanon also reported contributions from the private sector in 2015, with $313,769 provided by BLOM Bank[4] for clearance and risk education activities.[5]
Since 2011, the government of Lebanon contributed $42.4 million to its mine action program, or more than 40% of its total mine action budget, while international contributions totaled some $62 and averaged about $12.5 million per year.
Lebanon’s Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020 had estimated the need for more than $43 million a year for 2014–2016.[6] As in 2014, this target had not, by a large margin, been met in 2015.
Summary of contributions: 2011–2015[7]
|
Year |
National contributions ($) |
International contributions ($) |
Total budget ($) |
|
2015 |
9,000,000 |
8,675,229 |
17,675,229 |
|
2014 |
9,000,000 |
6,102,255 |
15,102,255 |
|
2013 |
9,000,000 |
19,072,388 |
28,072,388 |
|
2012 |
8,900,000 |
17,373,131 |
26,273,131 |
|
2011 |
6,500,000 |
11,136,306 |
17,636,306 |
|
Total |
42,400,000 |
62,359,309 |
104,759,309 |
[1] Emails from Frank Meeussen, Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control, European External Action Service (EEAS), 30 September 2016; from Ingrid Schoyen, Senior Adviser, Section for Humanitarian Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2016; and from Katherine Baker, Foreign Affairs Officer, Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State, 12 September 2016; Japan, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2016; the Netherlands Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2016; and UNMAS, “Annual Report 2015,” March 2016, p. 33.
[2] Average exchange rate for 2015: €1=US$1.1096; ¥121.05=US$1; NOK8.0681=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2016.
[3] Lebanon, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 25 April 2016.
[4] Since May 2010, LMAC entered into a strategic partnership with BLOM Bank, the largest bank in Lebanon, whereby a percentage of the cardholders’ annual fees and retailers’ transaction fees related to the BLOM Bank MasterCard goes to the Ministry of Defense for mine clearance. A committee within the Ministry of Defense is responsible for awarding contracts using the funds from BLOM Bank.
[5] Lebanon, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 25 April 2016.
[6] LMAC, “Mine Action Strategy 2011–2020,” September 2011, p. 21.
[7] See previous Monitor reports.