Germany
Support for Mine Action
In 2018, the Federal Republic of Germany provided nearly €36 million (US$42.5 million)[1] in mine action funding to 11 countries and one other area, half its 2017 level when it contributed €74.7 million ($84.4 million).
The largest contribution went to Iraq (€13.7 million/$16.2 million) for clearance, risk education, victim assistance, and capacity-building activities, which represents more than one-third (38%) of Germany’s total contribution for the year.
Afghanistan also received substantial funds with €7 million ($8 million) for clearance and victim assistance projects, while three additional countries (Syria, Somalia and South Sudan) received more than $2 million each.
In 2015, Germany explained it was seeking to reduce the number of countries benefiting from its assistance[2] in order to be able to strengthen its support for mine action projects in 10 partner countries.[3]
Contributions by recipient: 2018[4]
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
Iraq |
Various |
13,714,756 |
16,206,727 |
Afghanistan |
Clearance and victim assistance |
7,000,000 |
8,271,900 |
Syria |
Clearance and capacity-building |
2,414,640 |
2,853,380 |
Somalia |
Clearance |
2,250,000 |
2,658,825 |
South Sudan |
Clearance and victim assistance |
2,000,000 |
2,363,400 |
Ukraine |
Clearance and risk education |
1,865,335 |
2,204,266 |
Cambodia |
Clearance |
1,500,000 |
1,772,550 |
Colombia |
Various |
1,205,522 |
1,424,565 |
Yemen |
Clearance |
1,000,000 |
1,181,700 |
Western Sahara |
Clearance and capacity-building |
975,200 |
1,152,394 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Clearance and victim assistance |
828,970 |
979,594 |
Global (GICHD) |
Capacity-building |
576,522 |
681,276 |
Myanmar |
Victim assistance |
400,000 |
472,680 |
Global (ICBL-CMC) |
Advocacy |
250,000 |
295,425 |
Total |
35,980,945 |
42,518,682 |
Note: GICHD = Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining; ICBL-CMC = International Campaign to Ban Landmines–Cluster Munition Coalition.
From 2014–2018, Germany contributed more than €170 million ($197 million) to mine action, more than two-fifths of which was provided in 2017 alone. In comparison, in the previous five-year period from 2009–2013, its support totaled €86.7 million ($1116.6 million).
Until 2013, Germany consistently contributed approximately €17 million ($23 million) each year in support to mine action. In 2014, Germany’s funding totaled some €13 million ($17.5 million), which represented its lowest level since 2007 when it provided €13.4 million ($18.4 million). In 2016 and 2017, Germany significantly increased its mine action funding, reaching a peak of nearly €75 million ($84.4 million). In 2018, Germany’s support to mine action decreased by 50% but still remained above the 2016 level.
Summary of contributions: 2014–2018[5]
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
2018 |
35,980,945 |
42,518,682 |
-50 |
2017 |
74,683,257 |
84,399,549 |
+126 |
2016 |
33,682,119 |
37,292,841 |
+145 |
2015 |
13,706,155 |
15,208,351 |
-13 |
2014 |
13,183,431 |
17,530,008 |
-21 |
Total |
171,235,907 |
196,949,431 |
[1] Average exchange rate for 2018: €1=US$1.1817. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2019.
[2] According to the Monitor, between 2011 and 2015, Germany provided support to a total of 36 countries and areas.
[3] The 10 partners identified by Germany were: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. Statement of Germany, 18th International Meeting of Mine Action National Programme Directors and UN Advisors, Geneva, 19 February 2015.
[4] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 4 April 2019.
[5] See previous Monitor reports.