Ireland
Support for Mine Action
In 2020, Ireland contributed €3.4 million (US$3.8 million)[1] in mine action funding to eight countries and one other area, as well as global activities. As in previous years, Ireland allocated most of its mine action support for humanitarian demining activities.
Contributions by recipient: 2020[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Somaliland |
Clearance |
712,500 |
812,963 |
|
Cambodia |
Clearance |
500,000 |
570,500 |
|
Lao PDR |
Clearance |
500,000 |
570,500 |
|
Zimbabwe |
Clearance |
462,500 |
527,713 |
|
South Sudan |
Clearance |
400,000 |
456,400 |
|
Afghanistan |
Clearance |
362,500 |
413,613 |
|
Vietnam |
Clearance |
200,000 |
228,200 |
|
Colombia |
Clearance |
125,000 |
142,625 |
|
Myanmar |
Clearance |
70,000 |
79,870 |
|
Global |
Advocacy |
24,300 |
27,726 |
|
Total |
3,356,800 |
3,830,110 |
Mine action assistance approach
Ireland’s assistance has consistently been allocated to clearance and risk education efforts with €33.4 million ($40.9 million) provided since 2010.
In its Humanitarian Assistance Policy, support to demining activities is included under Policy Objective 3 on linking humanitarian and development approaches.[3] Ireland is regularly emphasizing the links between mine action and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[4]
COVID-19 and mine action support
Ireland reported having reallocated some funding from Colombia, where COVID-19 related restrictions prevented activities, to projects in Afghanistan and Somalia. Program targets were amended accordingly.[5] No major disruptions were reported to Ireland-supported programmes in Southeast Asia.[6] Irish funding to clearance activities run by the HALO Trust in five countries was disbursed incrementally based on quarterly progress reports, rather than as a “one-off” payment.[7] This was aimed at addressing uncertainties in the delivery of planned activities amid limitations related to the pandemic.
Five-year support to mine action
In the five-year period from 2016–20120, Ireland’s contribution to mine action totaled more than €14 million (some $16.5 million). In comparison, in the previous five-year period from 2011–2015, Ireland’s support to mine action amounted to €15.5 million ($19.9 million).
Summary of contributions: 2016–2020[8]
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
|
2020 |
3,356,800 |
3,830,110 |
+4 |
|
2019 |
3,295,000 |
3,687,795 |
-5 |
|
2018 |
3,295,000 |
3,893,702 |
+114 |
|
2017 |
1,610,000 |
1,819,461 |
-45 |
|
2016 |
2,970,000 |
3,288,384 |
-10 |
|
Total |
14,526,800 |
16,519,452 |
N/A |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
[1] Average exchange rate for 2020: €1=US$1.141. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2021.
[2] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2021.
[3] Irish Aid, “Ireland’s Humanitarian Assistance Policy 2015,” undated.
[4] See for example: statement of Ireland, Sixth Annual Pledging Conference for the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 23 February 2021; and statement or Ireland, Eighteenth Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, held virtually, 16–20 November 2020.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid. The five countries were: Afghanistan, Colombia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
[8] See previous Monitor reports.