Switzerland

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 26 September 2017

In 2016, the Swiss Confederation contributed CHF16.3 million (US$16.6 million)[1] in mine action funding to nine countries and one other area, as well as to the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), the ICRC, and other NGOs.

The largest contribution went to the GICHD, which received more than half of Switzerland’s total contribution for the year (CHF9.3 million/$9.4 million).[2] The ICRC was the only recipient of victim assistance funding and received 20% of Switzerland’s total funding (CHF3.3 million/$3.4 million).[3]

In addition to financial support, Switzerland provided in-kind assistance valued at CHF2.5 million ($2.6 million) through UNMAS and UNOPS to support clearance operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and South Sudan, as well as in Western Sahara, and other global activities.[4]

Contributions by recipient: 2016[5]

Recipient

Sector

Amount (CHF)

Amount ($)

GICHD

Various

9,267,480

9,410,520

Myanmar

Risk education and victim assistance

3,199,880

3,249,269

Global

Various

1,293,655

1,313,622

Cambodia

Clearance

798,000

810,317

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Clearance

591,940

601,076

Colombia

Various

547,010

555,453

Angola

Clearance

190,000

192,933

Ukraine

Clearance

170,280

172,908

Kosovo

Clearance

136,580

138,688

Libya

Risk education

50,940

51,726

Palestine

Clearance

47,500

48,233

Lao PDR

Clearance and risk education

31,588

32,076

Total

 

16,324,853

16,576,821

 

Since 2012, Switzerland has consistently contributed some CHF16 million each year (an average of $17.7 million), with the majority of its funding going to the GICHD. Between 2012–2016, Switzerland provided a total of CHF83.7 million ($88.6 million), a slight increase compared to the CHF78.9 million ($75.3 million) recorded in the previous five-year period from 2006–2010.[6]

Summary of contributions: 2012–2016[7]

Year

Amount (CHF)

Amount ($)

% change from previous year ($)

2016

16,324,853

16,576,821

-5

2015

16,741,025

17,387,854

-4

2014

16,527,355

18,068,606

-1

2013

16,875,296

18,206,167

-1

2012

17,257,952

18,404,555

5

Total

83,726,481

88,644,003

 

 

In September 2016, Switzerland released its 2016–2019 Mine Action Strategic Plan. The strategy reaffirms Switzerland’s commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Switzerland’s new mine action strategy will focus on contributing to the universalization of and ensuring compliance with the norms of the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions; including mine action activities in peace and sustainable development process, and strengthening national capacity and ownership in affected countries.[8]

Up to 2019, Switzerland is planning to provide financial support to at least five demining projects, expert support in planning and implementation procedures to at least one state with an extended deadline, as well as technical expertise to at least four UN/OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) mine action projects. In its strategic plan, Switzerland also indicated that its contribution to victim assistance will follow a “dual approach” and be provided both through specific victim assistance efforts as well as development, human rights, and humanitarian initiatives.[9]

In releasing its strategy, Switzerland stated it expected to contribute between CHF16 million ($16.5 million) and CHF18 million ($18.6 million) each year.[10]



[1] Average exchange rate for 2016: CHF0.9848=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2017.

[2] Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 28 April 2017.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] See, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: Switzerland: Support for Mine Action,” 10 September 2012.

[7] See previous Monitor reports.

[8]Mine Action Strategy of the Swiss Confederation 2016-2019,” Berne, June 2016, pp. 21–27.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid., p. 30. Exchange rate for June 2016: CHF0.9695=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “Foreign Exchange Rates (monthly),” 1 September 2016.