United Kingdom
Support for Mine Action
In 2017, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) contributed £20.8million (US$26.8 million)[1] in mine action funding to 15 countries. Compared to 2016, the UK’s funding increased by 7% ($1.8 million more) in US dollar terms, and rose by 13% (£2.4 million more) in national currency terms.
The largest contribution went to Iraq, receiving the equivalent of more than $6.4 million, and representing one-quarter of UK’s total funding.
As in 2016, the UK allocated most of its mine action support in 2017 for clearance and risk education activities.
In addition to financial support, the UK provided in-kind assistance valued at £3million ($3.9 million) to support clearance operations in Libya.[2]
Contributions by recipient: 2017[3]
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (£) |
Amount (US$) |
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
5,000,000 |
6,445,000 |
Afghanistan |
Clearance and risk education |
3,444,946 |
4,440,535 |
Somalia |
Clearance |
2,709,059 |
3,491,977 |
Cambodia |
Clearance and risk education |
1,758,984 |
2,267,330 |
South Sudan |
Clearance and risk education |
1,614,908 |
2,081,616 |
Zimbabwe |
Clearance and risk education |
1,574,501 |
2,029,532 |
Yemen |
Clearance and risk education |
1,150,000 |
1,482,350 |
Ukraine |
Capacity-building |
1,000,000 |
1,289,000 |
Myanmar |
Clearance and risk education |
661,651 |
852,868 |
Sri Lanka |
Clearance and risk education |
602,843 |
777,065 |
Georgia |
Risk education |
490,000 |
631,610 |
Lao PDR |
Various |
476,277 |
613,921 |
Vietnam |
Clearance |
135,087 |
174,127 |
Azerbaijan |
Clearance and risk education |
105,000 |
135,345 |
Angola |
Clearance and risk education |
44,625 |
57,522 |
Total |
20,767,881 |
26,769,798 |
In 2013–2017, the UK’s contribution to mine action totaled more than £71 million ($103 million). In comparison, in the previous five-year period from 2008–2012, the UK support to mine action amounted to £60.5 million ($99.2 million).[4]
Summary of contributions: 2013–2017[5]
Year |
Amount (£) |
Amount ($) |
% change from previous year ($) |
2017 |
20,767,881 |
26,769,798 |
+7 |
2016 |
18,395,476 |
24,935,067 |
+62 |
2015 |
10,047,885 |
15,357,188 |
+17 |
2014 |
7,968,591 |
13,135,425 |
-42 |
2013 |
14,574,446 |
22,797,349 |
+4 |
Total |
71,754,279 |
102,994,827 |
In September 2018, the UK announced the provision of an additional £46 million (some $58 million) towards projects for demining, risk education, and capacity development in Angola, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Lebanon, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Vietnam.[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 tripling in its contribution to mine action.[7] In comparison from 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]
[1] Average exchange rate for 2017: £1=US$1.289. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 11 January 2018.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Convention on Cluster Munitions 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2018.
[4] See, Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, “Country Profile: United Kingdom: Support for Mine Action,” 30 October 2013.
[5] See previous Monitor reports.
[6] Department for International Development, “UK aid will protect more than 820,000 people from threat of lethal landmines,” Press release, 6 September 2018. Exchange rate for 6 September 2018: £1=US$1.2933. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Weekly),” 10 September 2018.
[7] Department for International Development, “UK triples support for action against landmines on 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s iconic Angola visit,” Press release, 4 April 2017. Average exchange rate for April 2017: £1=US$1.2639. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Monthly),” 3 July 2017.
[8] Statement of the UK, Mine Ban Treaty Intersessional Meetings, Session on International Cooperation and Assistance, 9 June 2017.