Germany

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 18 November 2021

In 2020, the Federal Republic of Germany provided €47.6million (US$54.3 million)[1] in mine action funding to 13 countries as well as global activities. Germany’s mine action funding increased by 40% compared to 2019 when its contribution amounted approximately €34.5 million ($38.6 million). In 2020, Germany was among the fifth largest donors to mine action.

The largest contribution went to Iraq (€12.5 million/$14.3 million) for advocacy, capacity-building, clearance, risk education, and victim assistance activities, which represents more than one-quarter (26%) of Germany’s total contribution for the year.

Afghanistan also received substantial funds with €10.8 million ($12.3 million) for capacity-building, clearance, and victim assistance projects, while two additional countries (South Sudan and Yemen) received more than $3 million each.

Contributions by recipient: 2020[2]

Recipient

Sector

Amount (€)

Amount (US$)

Iraq

Advocacy, capacity-building, clearance, risk education, and victim assistance

12,540,326

14,308,512

Afghanistan

Capacity-building, clearance, and victim assistance

10,750,000

12,265,750

Yemen

Clearance and victim assistance

3,881,312

4,428,577

South Sudan

Clearance and victim assistance

3,000,000

3,423,000

Cambodia

Clearance

2,500,000

2,852,500

Syria

Clearance and victim assistance

2,300,000

2,624,300

Somalia

Clearance

2,250,000

2,567,250

Sri Lanka

Clearance

2,137,000

2,438,317

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Clearance and risk education

2,026,650

2,312,408

Colombia

Capacity-building, clearance, risk education, and victim assistance

1,955,207

2,230,891

Ukraine

Capacity-building, clearance, and risk education

1,646,595

1,878,765

Global

Advocacy and capacity-building

1,360,572

1,552,413

Nigeria

Capacity-building

749,504

855,184

Libya

Clearance

534,441

609,797

Total

 

47,631,607

54,347,664

 

Mine action assistance approach

In 2015, Germany explained it was seeking to reduce the number of countries benefiting from its assistance in order to be able to strengthen its support for mine action projects in 10 partner countries.[3] The 10 partners identified by Germany in its 2019–2021 humanitarian mine action strategy are: Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Colombia, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Ukraine.[4] Priority countries are selected based on humanitarian needs, international convention obligations, national ownership, and effectiveness and efficiency of the program.[5] At the Mine Action Support Group meeting in May 2021, Germany said it would revise its humanitarian mine action strategy during the course of the year and revise its list of priority countries.[6]

According to its mine action strategy, Germany seeks to achieve four objectives: reducing the threats posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW); reducing vulnerability and improving resilience through risk education and victim assistance; enhancing advocacy and promoting universalization of relevant international norms; and developing and implementing innovative methods, standards, and tools for a more effective humanitarian mine action.[7]

COVID-19 and mine action support

In May 2021, Germany reported to the Monitor that funding for mine action remained stable in 2020 and 2021 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Only one project was said to be postponed due to “major impediments,” but with no impact on the overall disbursement of funds.[8]

Five-year support to mine action

From 2016–2020, Germany contributed more than €226 million ($257 million) to mine action, 33% of which was provided in 2017 alone. In comparison, during the previous five-year period from 2011–2015, its support totaled €79 million ($102.3 million). When expressed in euros, Germany contributions to mine action nearly tripled.

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. The decrease in 2018 and 2019 was expected as Germany indicated the 2017 exceptionally high funding would not be repeated annually.[9]

Summary of contributions: 2016–2020[10]

Year

Amount (€)

Amount (US$)

% change from previous year (US$)

2020

47,631,607

54,347,664

+41

2019

34,459,446

38,573,904

-9

2018

35,980,945

42,518,682

-50

2017

74,683,257

84,399,549

+126

2016

33,682,119

37,292,841

+145

Total

226,437,374

257,132,640

N/A

Note: N/A=not applicable.



[1] Average exchange rate for 2020: €1=US$1.141o. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2021.

[2] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sandrina Köbinger, Desk Officer, Conventional Arms Division, Germany Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), 27 May 2021; Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2020), Form I; and Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2020), Form J.

[3] Statement of Germany, 18th International Meeting of Mine Action National Programme Directors and UN Advisors, Geneva, 19 February 2015. According to the Monitor, between 2011 and 2015, Germany provided support to a total of 36 countries and areas.

[5] Ibid., pp. 19–20.

[6] Mine Action Support Group Meeting (held virtually), Minutes, 28 May 2021.

[8] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Sandrina Köbinger, Desk Officer, Conventional Arms Division, GFFO, 27 May 2021.

[9] Landmine Monitor Briefing, Mine Ban Treaty Seventeenth Meeting of States Parties, Geneva, 26–30 November 2018.

[10] See previous Monitor reports.