Egypt

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 06 October 2016

The mine action program in the Arab Republic of Egypt has been stalled since 2009 following the completion of the first phase of a UNDP-supported mine action program (“Support to the North West Coast Development Plan and Mine Action Program”). The second phase of the project—which aims to expand mine clearance operations, facilitate development in the region, reintegrate mine victims, strengthen the national mine action capacity, and assist with resource mobilization efforts—was supposed to start in 2011, but was subject to numerous delays due to lack of funding and political events in Egypt.[1] Finally, phase II was launched in October 2014 with new support (US$6.3 million) provided by the European Union (EU).[2]

In 2015, New Zealand was Egypt’s sole international mine action donor, contributing some NZ$600,000 ($420,000) through the UNDP.[3]

Since 2012, Egypt has not reported any contributions to its own mine action program. The Egyptian army conducts all demining, and no costs associated with demining by the military are publicly available.  

From 2011–2015, international contributions totaled some $9.6 million, 65% of which was provided in 2014.

Summary of contributions: 2011–2015[4]

Year

International contributions ($)

2015

420,060

2014

6,256,239

2013

492,240

2012

1,162,207

2011

1,247,932

Total

9,578,678

 



[1] Interview with Amb. Fathy el-Shazly, Executive Secretariat, in Geneva, 21 March 2012; and UNDP, “Support to the North West Coast Development Plan and Relevant Mine Action: Phase II,” Project Overview, undated.

[2] UNDP, “EU and UNDP Celebrate the Launch of the Second Phase of the Project to Help Develop the North West Coast and Mine Action,” Press Release, 24 October 2014. Email from Jérôme Legrand, Policy Officer, Conventional Weapons and Space Division (K1), European External Action Service (EEAS), 11 June 2015. Average exchange rate for 2014: €1=US$1.3297. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2015.

[3] New Zealand Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2016. Average exchange rate for 2015: NZ$1=US$0.7001. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2016.

[4] See previous Monitor reports.