Germany

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 23 September 2019

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.