Switzerland

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 17 October 2020

In 2019, the Swiss Confederation contributed CHF14.7 million (US$14.8 million)[1] in mine action funding to seven countries as well as to the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and other non-government organizations. The largest contribution went to the GICHD, which received more than three-fifths (62%) of Switzerland’s total contribution for the year (CHF9.2 million/$9.2 million).[2]

In addition to financial support, Switzerland provided in-kind assistance valued at CHF3.1 million ($3.1 million) through the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), and the Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). This in-kind assistance supported clearance operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Mali, and South Sudan, as well as in Western Sahara, and other global activities.[3]

Contributions by recipient: 2019[4]

Recipient

Sector

Amount (CHF)

Amount (US$)

GICHD

Various

9,158,000

9,216,061

Syria

Risk education

1,355,000

1,363,591

Colombia

Clearance, risk education, and victim assistance

1,313,547

1,321,875

Global

Various

986,395

992,649

Myanmar

Risk education and victim assistance

738,500

743,182

Cambodia

Clearance

554,000

557,512

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Clearance

412,000

414,612

Sri Lanka

Clearance

160,000

161,014

Libya

Risk education

20,000

20,127

Total

 

14,697,442

14,790,623

From 2015–2019, Switzerland has consistently contributed on average CHF16.3 million each year ($16.7 million) with the majority of its funding going to the GICHD. Switzerland provided a total of CHF81.7 million ($83.3 million) in mine action support in 2015–2019, a similar level compared to the CHF84.8 million ($90.3 million) recorded in the previous five-year period from 2010–2014.

Summary of contributions: 2015–2019[5]

Year

Amount (CHF)

Amount (US$)

% change from previous year (US$)

2019

14,697,442

14,790,623

-2

2018

14,705,453

15,030,103

-23

2017

19,223,050

19,531,651

+18

2016

16,324,853

16,576,821

-5

2015

16,741,025

17,387,854

-4

Total

81,691,823

83,317,052

N/A

Note: N/A=not applicable.

In September 2016, Switzerland released its 2016–2019 Mine Action Strategic Plan, which was subsequently extended until 2022.[6] The strategy reaffirmed Switzerland’s commitment to the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

The 2016–2022 strategy focuses on contributing to the universalization of and ensuring compliance with the norms of the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions; including mine action activities in peace and sustainable development processes, and strengthening national capacity and ownership in affected countries.[7]

Up to 2019, Switzerland provided financial support to at least five demining projects, and expert support in planning and implementation procedures to at least one state with an extended deadline, as well as technical expertise to at least four United Nations/OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) mine action projects. In its strategic plan, Switzerland also indicated that its contribution to victim assistance would follow a “dual approach”, provided both through specific victim assistance efforts as well as through development, human rights, and humanitarian initiatives.[8]

In releasing its strategy, Switzerland stated it expected to contribute between CHF16 million ($16.5 million) and CHF18 million ($18.6 million) each year.[9]



[1] Average exchange rate for 2019: CHF0.9937=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2020.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] See previous Monitor reports.

[7] Ibid., pp. 21–26; and “Mine Action Strategy of the Swiss Confederation 2016–2019,” June 2016, pp. 21–27.

[9] Ibid., p. 30. Exchange rate for June 2016: CHF0.9695=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “Foreign Exchange Rates (monthly),” 1 September 2016.