Finland
Support for Mine Action
In 2019, the Republic of Finland contributed €3 million (US$3.4 million)[1] in mine action funding to five countries and global activities. The largest contribution in 2019 went to Iraq, which received the equivalent of more than $1 million.
Contributions by recipient: 2019[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
950,000 |
1,063,430 |
|
Syria |
Clearance, risk education and victim assistance |
720,000 |
805,968 |
|
Afghanistan |
Clearance |
700,000 |
783,580 |
|
Ukraine |
Clearance, risk education and victim assistance |
290,000 |
324,626 |
|
Somalia |
Clearance and risk education |
200,000 |
223,880 |
|
Global |
Various |
150,000 |
167,910 |
|
Total |
3,010,000 |
3,369,394 |
From 2015 to 2019, Finland’s contribution for mine action totaled some €13 million (some $15.4 million). This total is 58% less than the $36.9 million recorded during the previous five-year period from 2010 to 2014.
Whereas Finland budgeted funding for mine action in 2016, it was reported that payments could not be executed due to changes in the administration, and the prolongation of the tender-processes. Therefore, no mine action support was reported in 2016, and as a result, the 2017 total included some of the funding initially budgeted for 2016.
Summary of contributions: 2015–2019[3]
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
|
2019 |
3,010,000 |
3,369,394 |
+4 |
|
2018 |
2,740,000 |
3,237,858 |
-2 |
|
2017 |
2,912,000 |
3,290,851 |
N/A |
|
2016 |
0 |
0 |
N/A |
|
2015 |
5,000,000 |
5,548,000 |
-30 |
|
Total |
13,662,000 |
15,446,103 |
N/A |
Note: N/A = not applicable.
In February 2020, Finland announced that it would provide €15 million ($16.4 million) from 2021 to 2025 to support mine action activities, representing an increase of €3 million ($3.3 million) from the previous five year-period, from 2015–2020.[4] Following an external evaluation of Finland’s programme, the recommendation was for Finland to continue focusing on projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, and Ukraine.[5]
In March 2016, at the International Pledging Conference for the implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, Finland pledged €12 million ($13.4 million) to support humanitarian mine action for 2016–2020, which represented a drop of more than 50% compared to 2011–2015.[6] This decrease in Finland’s mine action budget was the result of budgetary cuts in its development cooperation appropriations.[7] During 2016–2020, Finland contributed to mine action projects in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, and Somalia, while funding to Angola and Cambodia was phased out.[8]
In July 2016, at the Pledging Conference in Support of Iraq in Washington, Finland announced €10 million ($11.1 million) in new funding over the period 2016–2020 to support humanitarian and stabilization in areas liberated from Islamic State, half of which (€5 million/$5.5 million) was allocated to mine clearance operations in Iraq and Syria.[9]
[1] Average exchange rate for 2019: €1=US$1.1194. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2020.
[2] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Anni Mäkeläinen, Desk Officer, Unit for Arms Control, Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2020.
[3] See previous Monitor reports.
[4] Statement of Finland, Fifth International Pledging Conference for the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 25 February 2020; and email from Anni Mäkeläinen, Unit for Arms Control, Finland Ministry for Foreign Affairs, 13 July 2020. Exchange rate for February 2020: €1=US$1.0911. US Federal Reserve, “Foreign Exchange Rates (monthly),” 2 March 2020.
[5] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, “Finland’s Humanitarian Mine Action Concept 2021-2025,” undated.
[6] Statement of Finland, International Pledging Conference for the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 2 March 2016. Exchange rate for March 2016: €1=US$1.1134. US Federal Reserve, “Foreign Exchange Rates (monthly),” 1 April 2016.
[7] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, “Finland’s Humanitarian Mine Action Concept for 2016–2020,” June 2016.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, “Finland grants additional support to Iraq,”20 July 2016. Average exchange rate for July 2016: €1=US$1.1055. US Federal Reserve, “Foreign Exchange Rates (monthly),” 1 September 2016.