Belgium
Support for Mine Action
In 2020, the Kingdom of Belgium contributed some €3.9 million (US$4.5 million) in mine action funding in three countries as well as to global activities carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).[1] Belgium’s mine action funding in 2020 was similar to its 2019 funding level, when its contribution amounted nearly €3.8 million ($4.3 million).
Contributions by recipient: 2020[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Iraq |
Clearance and risk education |
2,000,000 |
2,282,000 |
|
Global (ICRC) |
Victim assistance |
1,000,000 |
1,141,000 |
|
Syria |
Risk education and victim assistance |
500,000 |
570,500 |
|
Angola |
Clearance |
436,653 |
498,221 |
|
Total |
3,936,653 |
4,491,721 |
Mine action assistance approach
A 2021 document outlining Belgium’s approach to mine action lists five cross-cutting aspects to determine funding allocations: humanitarian needs and impact assessment; adherence to relevant international frameworks by the potential recipient of assistance; national ownership; integration of mine action into broader humanitarian, peacebuilding and sustainable development approaches; and convergence with Belgium’s international and development priorities.[3]
Five-year support to mine action
In 2016–2020, Belgium’s funding to mine action totaled nearly €14 million ($15.8 million). When expressed in euros, this is 15% less than the €16.4 million contributed during the previous five-year period, from 2011–2015. This represents a 28% increase when expressed in dollars, due to the negative impact of the variation in the exchange rate ($21.9 million provided in 2010–2014).
Summary of contributions: 2016–2020[4]
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
|
2020 |
3,936,653 |
4,491,721 |
+5% |
|
2019 |
3,815,161 |
4,270,692 |
+30 |
|
2018 |
2,790,000 |
3,296,943 |
+270 |
|
2017 |
788,330 |
890,892 |
-69 |
|
2016 |
2,612,000 |
2,892,006 |
+865 |
|
Total |
13,942,144 |
15,842,254 |
N/A |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
[1] Average exchange rate for 2020: €1=US$1.1410. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2021.
[2] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2020), Form J; and email from Charlotte Van Caeneghem, Attaché, Belgium Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, 23 April 2021.
[3] Kingdom of Belgium, Federal Public Service, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, “Belgian Approach to Mine Action,” 2021.
[4] See previous Monitor reports.