Colombia
Support for Mine Action
In 2017, the Republic of Colombia received US$65.5 million of international assistance from 14 donors, this was more than twice as much as in 2016 when 12 donors contributed some $26 million.
The largest contributions were provided by the United States (US) and the Howard Buffett Foundation which contributed a combined total of $37.1 million and accounted for more than half of all international assistance.[1]
Three donors considerably increased their contributions compared to 2016: the US ($12.5 million more), Japan ($7.8 million more), and Switzerland ($1.2 million more). These three countries participated in the Global Demining Initiative for Colombia ministerial-level meeting in September 2016, during which they pledged financial assistance to support Colombia’s mine action activities in the context of the peace process.[2]
International contributions: 2017[3]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount ($) |
|
US |
Clearance and risk education |
$21,000,000 |
21,000,000 |
|
Howard Buffett Foundation |
Clearance |
N/A |
16,100,000 |
|
Japan |
Various |
¥1,039,716,178 |
9,274,899 |
|
Norway |
Various |
NOK47,477,000 |
5,742,329 |
|
European Union |
Various |
€4,094,674 |
4,627,391 |
|
Canada |
Capacity-building and clearance |
C$3,235,000 |
2,491,528 |
|
Germany |
Various |
€1,694,928 |
1,915,438 |
|
Switzerland |
Various |
CHF1,796,475 |
1,825,315 |
|
New Zealand |
Clearance |
NZ$1,000,000 |
711,100 |
|
Netherlands |
Clearance |
€598,675 |
676,563 |
|
Italy |
Clearance and victim assistance |
€375,000 |
423,788 |
|
Australia |
Various |
A$500,000 |
383,550 |
|
Sweden |
Clearance and risk education |
SEK2,407,707 |
281,834 |
|
Ireland |
Capacity-building and clearance |
€40,000 |
45,204 |
|
Total |
65,498,939 |
Since 2013, international contributions to Colombia totaled more than $131 million. No information on any national contribution was available for 2016 or 2017. Between 2012 and 2015, the government of Colombia contributed some $6.6 million to support its national mine action program.
Summary of international contributions in 2013–2017[4]
|
Year |
International contributions (US$) |
|
2017 |
65,498,939 |
|
2016 |
26,190,348 |
|
2015 |
13,336,503 |
|
2014 |
12,930,929 |
|
2013 |
13,085,843 |
|
Total |
131,042,562 |
[1] Australia, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018; Canada, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 1 May 2018; Germany, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 2 March 2018; Italy, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, April 2018; Japan, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018; New Zealand, Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2018; Sweden, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018; Switzerland, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018; Netherlands, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2018; emails from Leah Murphy, Desk Officer, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Section, Ireland Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 25 September 2018; from Ingrid Schoyen, Senior Adviser, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 25 September 2018; from Olivia Douwes, Policy Officer, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 September 2018; and from Katherine Baker, Foreign Affairs Officer, Weapons Removal and Abatement, US Department of State, 9 and 24 October 2018; response to Monitor questionnaire by Frank Meeussen, Mine Action Focal Point, EU EEAS, 25 October 2018; and “Warren Buffett’s Legacy Impacts Colombia,” Latin American Post, 25 July 2017.
[2] The Global Demining Initiative for Colombia was launched in February 2016 by Norway and the US to mobilize additional assistance to support Colombia’s demining efforts. Atthe Global Demining Initiative for Colombia ministerial-level meeting, the US pledged $36 million over 2016–2018, and Switzerland pledged $4.1 million over 2016–2020. Japan pledged $1.5 million without specifying the timeframe, but this seems to correspond to the amount provided in 2016. See, Monitor factsheet, “Extraordinary Pledges to Support Mine Action in 2016,” 22 November 2016.
[3] Average exchange rate for 2017: A$1=US$0.7671; C$1.2984=US$1; €1=US$1.1301; NOK8.2679=US$1; NZ$1=US$0.7111; CHF0.9842; US$1; ¥112.10=US$1; SEK8.5430. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 11 January 2018.
[4] See previous Monitor reports.Totals for international support in 2015, 2014, and 2013 have been rectified as a result of revised EU and US funding data.