Netherlands
Support for Mine Action
In 2016, the Kingdom of the Netherlands contributed €22.8 million (US$25.2 million)[1] in mine action funding to 12 states, one territory, and the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Assistance in Mine Action (VTF).
The largest country-specific contribution went to Afghanistan (€1.8 million/$2 million), with two additional countries—Iraq and Lebanon—each receiving the equivalent of more than $1 million.
The Netherlands announced it would provide €45 million ($49.7 million) from 2016–2020 to support mine action projects run by DanChurchAid (DCA), HALO Trust, and Mines Advisory Group (MAG) in 13 countries and territories.[2] Approximately one-fifth of this amount (€10 million/$11 million) will be earmarked for emergency response projects.[3] Since 2012, the Netherlands has been a strong advocate for a multiyear funding approach to mine action and cites the improvement of administrative efficiencies, the building of strategic partnerships, and the commitment to building national capacities as benefits in multiyear funding.[4]
Contributions by recipient: 2016[5]
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
Global |
Various |
13,217,475 |
14,634,388 |
UNMAS |
Various (unearmarked funding) |
2,000,000 |
2,214,400 |
Afghanistan |
Clearance and risk education |
1,793,422 |
1,985,677 |
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
1,485,289 |
1,644,512 |
Lebanon |
Clearance and risk education |
1,219,832 |
1,350,598 |
South Sudan |
Various |
738,200 |
817,335 |
Somalia |
Clearance and risk education |
638,855 |
707,340 |
Lao PDR |
Various |
536,863 |
594,415 |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Clearance and risk education |
531,365 |
588,327 |
Palestine |
Clearance |
170,096 |
188,330 |
Mali |
Clearance and risk education |
161,844 |
179,194 |
Cambodia |
Clearance and risk education |
113,342 |
125,492 |
Syria |
Clearance and risk education |
71587 |
79,261 |
Mozambique |
Victim assistance |
48,874 |
54,113 |
Kosovo |
Clearance |
23,650 |
26,185 |
Total |
|
22,750,694 |
25,189,567 |
From 2012–2016, the contribution of the Netherlands totaled more than €98 million ($120.7 million), with an annual contribution averaging €19.7 million ($24.1 million). In comparison, during the previous five-year period from 2007–2011, the Netherlands contributed €81.9 million ($114.1 million).[6]
Summary of contributions: 2012–2016[7]
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount ($) |
% change from previous year ($) |
2016 |
22,750,694 |
25,189,567 |
+14 |
2015 |
19,880,000 |
22,058,848 |
-15 |
2014 |
19,462,911 |
25,879,833 |
+11 |
2013 |
17,622,565 |
23,404,529 |
-3 |
2012 |
18,764,834 |
24,129,700 |
+13 |
Total |
98,481,004 |
120,662,477 |
|
[1] Average exchange rate for 2016: €1=US$1.1072. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2017.
[2] Government of the Netherlands, “Netherlands wants to eradicate landmines within 10 years,” 20 July 2016. Average exchange rate for July 2016: €1=US$1.1055. US Federal Reserve, “Foreign Exchange Rates (monthly),” 1 September 2016. The 13 countries and territories are: Afghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine.
[3] Government of the Netherlands, “Policy Framework Mine Action and Cluster Munitions 2016–2020,” 22 March 2016, p. 6.
[4] Government of the Netherlands, “How to Get More Value for Money in Humanitarian Mine Action? Benefits of Multi-year Funding: Different Perspectives, Common Interests,” paper presented at side event by the Netherlands at the Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee Meetings in Geneva, 27–31 May 2013.
[5] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Olivia Douwes, Policy Officer, DSH, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2017.
[6] See, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: the Netherlands: Support for Mine Action,” 10 September 2012.