Western Sahara
Support for Mine Action
Support for Mine Action
Western Sahara receives support for mine action from international governments and from the UN General Assembly funds for mine action as part of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) peacekeeping operation. Since 2007, funding for mine action through MINURSO (US$3,578,450) has accounted for 42% of all mine action funding for Western Sahara. In 2011, peacekeeping assessed funds for mine action were $1,745,300 (54% of the budget).
In 2011, in addition to these contributions, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland contributed a total of almost US$1.5 million towards clearance and risk education activities in Western Sahara.[1]
International contributions in 2011[2]
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount (US$) |
Norway |
Clearance |
NOK5,000,000 |
892,507 |
Spain |
Clearance, risk education |
€285,000 |
397,034 |
Switzerland |
Clearance |
CHF110,000 |
124,125 |
Netherlands |
Clearance |
€40,000 |
55,724 |
Total |
1,469,390 |
Summary of international contributions in 2007–2011[3]
Year |
US$ |
2011 |
1,469,390 |
2010 |
1,102,903 |
2009 |
1,178,150 |
2008 |
294,520 |
2007 |
894,525 |
Total |
4,939,488 |
[1] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Ingunn Vatne, Senior Advisor, Department for Human Rights, Democracy and Humanitarian Assistance, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 15 March 2012; Spain Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, March 2012; and Responses to Monitor questionnaire by Claudia Moser, Section for Multilateral Peace Policy, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland, 19 June 2012; and by Douwe Buzeman, Policy Officer for Security and Development, Peace Building and Stabilisation Unit, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 16 April 2012.
[2] Euro average exchange rate for 2011: €1= US$1.3931. Norway average exchange rate for 2011: NOK5.6022 = US$1. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2012.
[3] See previous editions of Landmine Monitor; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Western Sahara: Support for Mine Action,” 21 June 2010; and, “UNMAS Annual Reports 2007-2011.”