Netherlands
Support for Mine Action
In 2017, the Kingdom of the Netherlands contributed €17 million (US$19.2 million)[1] in mine action funding to 13 states and one territory.
The largest country-specific contribution went to Iraq (€2.2 million/$2.4 million), with three additional countries—South Sudan, Lebanon, and Afghanistan—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: 2017[5]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount |
Amount |
|
Global |
Various |
5,934,292 |
6,706,343 |
|
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
2,158,116 |
2,438,887 |
|
South Sudan |
Clearance and risk education |
1,589,359 |
1,796,135 |
|
Lebanon |
Clearance and risk education |
1,562,098 |
1,765,327 |
|
Afghanistan |
Clearance |
1,378,849 |
1,558,237 |
|
Libya |
Clearance and risk education |
845,300 |
955,274 |
|
Syria |
Clearance and risk education |
730,942 |
826,038 |
|
Colombia |
Clearance |
598,675 |
676,563 |
|
Somalia |
Clearance |
527,202 |
595,791 |
|
Yemen |
Various |
489,133 |
552,769 |
|
Ukraine |
Clearance and risk education |
342,926 |
387,541 |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Clearance and risk education |
319,448 |
361,008 |
|
Mali |
Risk education |
292,686 |
330,764 |
|
Palestine |
Clearance |
108,901 |
123,069 |
|
Kosovo |
Clearance |
86,259 |
97,481 |
|
Total |
16,964,186 |
19,171,227 |
From 2013–2017, the contribution of the Netherlands totaled more than €96 million ($115.7 million), with an annual contribution averaging €19.3 million (some $23 million). In comparison, during the previous five-year period from 2008–2012, the Netherlands contributed €83.6 million ($114.9 million).[6]
Summary of contributions: 2013–2017[7]
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount |
% change from previous year |
|
2017 |
16,964,186 |
19,171,227 |
-24 |
|
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 |
|
Total |
96,680,356 |
115,704,004 |
[1] Average exchange rate for 2017: €1=US$1.1301. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 11 January 2018.
[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] Netherlands, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, April 2018; and email from Olivia Douwes, Policy Officer, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 12 September 2018.
[6] See, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: the Netherlands: Support for Mine Action,” 7 October 2013.
[7] See previous Monitor reports.