Switzerland

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 18 November 2021

In 2020, the Swiss Confederation contributed CHF14.4 million (US$15.4 million)[1] in mine action funding to seven countries and one other area, as well as to the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the implementation support units (ISUs) of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Mine Ban Treaty, and other non-government organizations.

The largest contribution went to the GICHD, which received more than three-fifths (66%) of Switzerland’s total contribution for the year (CHF9.5 million/$10.1 million).[2] Two countries—Cambodia and Colombia— also received substantial funds, receiving more than CHF1 million each.

In addition to financial support, Switzerland provided in-kind assistance valued at CHF2.9 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 mine action operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and South Sudan, as well as in Western Sahara, and other global activities at the UN headquarters in New York and Geneva.[3]

Contributions by recipient: 2020[4]

Recipient

Sector

Amount (CHF)

Amount (US$)

GICHD

Various

9,450,000

10,064,970

Cambodia

Clearance

1,500,000

1,597,614

Colombia

Clearance, risk education, victim assistance

1,172,429

1,248,726

Global

Advocacy

1,105,466

1,177,405

Myanmar

Survey and risk education

590,000

628,395

Syria

Risk education

260,000

276,920

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Clearance

130,000

138,460

Georgia

Clearance

100,000

106,508

Kosovo

Clearance

70,000

74,555

Sri Lanka

Clearance

40,000

42,603

Total

 

14,417,895

15,356,156

 

Mine action assistance approach

In 2020, Switzerland contributed to mine action activities linked to peace processes and development goals and followed an “integrated approach, combining clearance, mine risk education, and victim assistance.”[5]

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 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] In its strategic plan, Switzerland also indicated that its contribution to victim assistance would follow a “dual approach,” through specific victim assistance efforts and 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] The totals include both financial and in-kind contributions.

An evaluation of Switzerland’s mine action strategy was scheduled to be carried out in 2021; the conclusions of which would contribute to the development of the country’s new disarmament strategy and mine action priorities for after 2023.[10]

COVID-19 and mine action support

In 2020, as a response to disruptions to mine action operations on the ground, Switzerland reported that its partners were allowed to deploy resources to national COVID-19 response efforts or could extend the duration of projects.[11]

Five-year support to mine action

From 2018–2020, Switzerland has consistently contributed some CHF14 million each year. Switzerland provided a total of CHF79.4 million ($81.3 million) in mine action support in 2016–2020, with the majority of its funding going to the GICHD. This is slightly below the level recorded in the previous five-year period from 2011–2015, when Switzerland contributed CHF85.2 million ($92 million).

Summary of contributions: 2016–2020[12]

Year

Amount (CHF)

Amount (US$)

% change from previous year (US$)

2020

14,417,895

15,356,156

+4

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

Total

79,368,693

81,285,354

N/A

Note: N/A=not applicable.



[1] Average exchange rate for 2020: CHF0.9389=US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 4 January 2021.

[2] Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report, Form I, 30 April 2021.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[6] Swiss Confederation, “Mine Action Strategy of the Swiss Confederation 2016–2022,” April 2019.

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

[8] Swiss Confederation, “Mine Action Strategy of the Swiss Confederation 2016–2019,” June 2016.

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

[11] Ibid.

[12] See previous Monitor reports.