In 2016, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) contributed £18.4 million (US$25 million)[1] in mine action funding to 15 countries as well as regional activities in the southern Caucasus. Compared to 2015, the UK’s funding increased by 62% in US dollar terms, and rose by 83% in national currency terms.

The largest contributions went to Somalia, Ukraine, and Iraq, each receiving the equivalent of more than $3 million, and representing 37% of UK’s total funding.

As in 2015, the UK allocated most of its mine action support in 2016 for clearance and risk education activities.

In 2013, the Department for International Development (DfID) published its new mine action policy, which aims at supporting clearance and risk reduction efforts in some of the poorest countries, strengthening and facilitating greater national ownership of mine action programs, and responding rapidly to mine action needs in humanitarian crises.[2] The UK policy states that victim assistance “is best provided through broader social and economic development programmes in affected countries, rather than through targeting particular group,” which explains why the DfID does not support programs that specifically target mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) survivors.[3]

Contributions by recipient: 2016[4]

In 2012–2016, the UK’s contribution to mine action totaled nearly £65 million ($98.2 million). In comparison, in the previous five-year period from 2007–2011, the UK support to mine action amounted to £59.3 million ($102.4 million).[5]

Summary of contributions: 2012–2016[6]

In April 2017, the UK announced a £100 million aid package (some US$126 million) to support landmine clearance and risk education projects over the next three years, which represents a near tripling in its contribution to mine action.[7] In comparison with 2014–2016, the UK contributed a total of £36.4 million (US$53.4 million). This new funding will focus on countries “where the greatest numbers of people continue to suffer from landmine contamination…and where continued insecurity and instability pose an ongoing threat to UK interests.” The countries that will benefit from this support are: Afghanistan, Angola, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.[8]