Support for Mine Action

In 2011, the government of Angola contributed AOA1.33 billion (US$14.2 million) to the Inter-sectoral Commission on Demining and Humanitarian Assistance (Comissão Nacional Intersectorial de Desminagem e Assistência Humanitária, CNIDAH). National funding supported the activities of CNIDAH, with the funding going to coordination (salaries), quality control, and provincial offices. In addition, national funding contributed AOA4.25 billion ($45.4 million) to the Executive Commission for Demining (Comissão Executiva de Desminagem, CED), established in 2005 to fund development projects and provide financial support to the demining operations of the Angolan Armed Forces (Forças Armadas Angolanas, FAA), the National Reconstruction Office (Gabinete de Reconstrução Nacional, GRN), and the National Demining Institute (Instituto Nacional de Desminagem, INAD). Total national funding for mine action was AOA5.5 billion/$59.6 million.[1]

Angola has been one of the largest recipients of international mine action funding. In 2007–2010 it received a total of $103 million, or more than $25 million per year. In 2011, international assistance, however, dropped to $13.27 million from five donors.[2] In 2009, there were 13 international donors, while in 2010 there were 11. In 2010–2011, the United States (US) and the European Commission (EC) provided 80% of the international assistance.[3]

The EC 2008–2013 country strategy for Angola includes support to mine action. The funding source for mine action is from the European Development Fund (EDF).[4] In 2010, the EC awarded the French company Civipol Conseil[5] a three-year, €3 million ($3.9 million) contract awarded for a capacity-building project with CNIDAH and INAD; capacity building was covered previously with UNDP support. A consortium led by Civipol Conseil, which has no previous mine action experience, includes Cesoci (Portugal), Geomine (France), MAT Mondial, (United Kingdom),[6] and the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (France).[7] The purpose of the EC project is to provide technical support to monitor NGO clearance operations in Bié, Kuando Kubango, Kwanza Sul, Kwanza Norte, Malange, and Moxico; technical support also goes to CNIDAH for coordination, strategic planning, and quality management; support goes to INAD for database and information management.[8] In 2010, the EC awarded five international NGOs and one French commercial company €20 million ($26.5 million) for 2010–2012.[9]

Despite having one of the highest landmine casualty rates in the world, Angola’s total international support for victim assistance in 2011 was less than $2 million. Angola’s national budget has several line items that potentially benefit landmine survivors. CNIDAH budgeted AOA250 million/$2.7 million for a national victim survey[10] which was ongoing in August 2012. The Ministry of Health budgeted AOA 1.04 billion/$11.1 million for its annual support to the National Rehabilitation Hospital and Centre in Viana, outside Luanda, while the Ministry of Veterans Affairs budget to assist disabled veterans was AOA702 million ($7.5 million) in 2011.[11] There is no available information on the number of landmine casualties that benefit from these facilities and programs.

International contributions in 2011[12]

Summary of contributions in 2007–2011 (US$)[13]