European Commission

Last Updated: 05 October 2012

Support for Mine Action

Support for Mine Action

In 2011, the mine action contribution from the European Commission (EC) totaled €13.9 million (US$19.3 million) to eight countries.[1] Of the €13.9 million, €10.7 million ($14.9) was allocated through the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Libya, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Sri Lanka.

At the end of 2011, the EC and the government of Colombia finalized an agreement for €6 million ($8.4 million) for 2011–2014. However, no EC funds had been expended as of September 2012.[2] EC funds and contracts awarded in 2010 to Angola (€20,000,000/$26,522,000) and Lebanon (€7,000,100/$9,282,833) are ongoing.[3]

In 2012, the EC has announced new support to mine action in Somalia and Laos and planned to renew support to Lebanon.[4]

Contributions by recipient in 2011

Recipients

Sector

Amount (€)

Amount (US$)

Belarus

Stockpile destruction

3,900,000

5,433,090

South Sudan

Clearance

2,999,652

4,178,815

Sri Lanka

Clearance

2,375,681

3,309,561

Libya

Clearance

1,470,000

2,047,857

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Clearance

1,415,000

1,971,237

Congo

Clearance

579,530

807,343

Global

Clearance

464,575

647,199

Democratic Republic of Congo

Clearance

400,000

557,240

Pakistan

Risk education

247,955

345,426

Totals

 

13,852,393

19,297,768

Contributions by thematic sector in 2011

Sector

Amount

Amount US$

Clearance

9,704,438

13,519,252

Stockpile destruction

3,900,000

5,433,090

Risk Education

247,955

345,426

Total

13,852,393

19,297,768

Summary of contributions in 2007–2011[5]

Year

Amount €

Amount US$

2011

13,852,393

19,297,768

2010

37,533,764

49,773,524

2009

34,533,082

48,121,850

2008

15,478,721

22,793,964

2007

33,280,659

45,631,112

Totals 

134,678,619

185,618,218

 



[1] Email from Carolin J. Thielking, Directorate for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, European External Action Service, European Commission, 26 April 2012; EC, “Service procurement notice, UA-Kiev: ENPI — destruction of PFM-1 series ammunition in Belarus 2010/S 124-188668,” 30 June 2010; See ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Belarus: Mine Ban Policy,” 3 November 2011; Belarus, “Contract award notice, BY-Minsk: destruction of PFM-1 series ammunition in Belarus 2011/S 14-020376,” 21 January 2011.

[2] Email from Ulrich Tietze, Technical Advisor, EC, Bogota, 3 September 2012.

[4] European Commission, EU announces new support for Lebanon,” Press Release, Brussels, 13 July 2012; email from Eugen Secareanu, Resource Mobilisation Unit, UN Mine Action Service, 30 May 2012; and Blake Williamson, The EU and the U.S. Provide Grant to Lao PDR,” Journal of Mine Action, 15.3, Fall 2011.

[5] See previous editions of Landmine Monitor; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: European Commission: Support for Mine Action,” 29 July 2011. Average exchange rate for 2011: €1 = US$1.3931; 2010: €1 = US$1.3261; 2009: €1 = US$1.3935; 2008: €1 = US$1.4726; and 2007: €1 = US$1.3711. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2012.