Australia
Support for Mine Action
In 2012, the Commonwealth of Australia contributed A$23,159,725 (US$23,991,159)[1] in mine action funding to 11 states, the ICRC, UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, and the Geneva International Center for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). The largest contributions went to Afghanistan and the ICRC.
Australia’s mine action funding is based on their 2010–2014 Mine Action Strategy. Australia focuses its assistance on the Asia-Pacific region, where it allocated almost 50% of its funding in 2012. However, it has also made significant contributions to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Mozambique.
Contributions by recipient: 2012[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (A$) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Afghanistan |
Various |
5,000,000 |
5,179,500 |
|
ICRC |
Clearance, victim assistance |
3,750,000 |
3,884,625 |
|
Global |
Various |
2,891,447 |
2,995,250 |
|
Lao PDR |
Clearance, victim assistance |
2,101,566 |
2,177,012 |
|
Mozambique |
Clearance, victim assistance |
1,703,813 |
1,764,980 |
|
Iraq |
Clearance |
1,500,000 |
1,553,850 |
|
Jordan |
Clearance |
1,500,000 |
1,553,850 |
|
Palau |
Clearance |
1,350,544 |
1,399,029 |
|
Cambodia |
Victim assistance |
1,325,000 |
1,372,568 |
|
Lebanon |
Clearance |
897,355 |
929,570 |
|
Sri Lanka |
Clearance |
840,000 |
870,156 |
|
Vietnam |
Victim assistance |
250,000 |
258,975 |
|
Azerbaijan |
Victim assistance |
50,000 |
51,795 |
|
Total |
|
23,159,725 |
23,991,159 |
Australia continued to be one of the major donors to victim assistance projects. In 2012, it contributed 12% of its support A$2,700,992 (US$2,797,958) to victim assistance in Afghanistan, Cambodia, ICRC, Lao PDR, Mozambique, and Vietnam.
The Australian aid program, guided by a disability-inclusive 2009–2014 development strategy, Development for All, also provides approximately $10 million per year to programs that impact the lives of persons with disabilities. It is intended to benefit landmine and cluster munition victims, their families, and communities.[3]
Contributions by thematic sector: 2012
|
Sector |
Amount (A$) |
Amount (US$) |
% of total contribution |
|
Clearance |
11,580,286 |
11,996,018 |
50 |
|
Various |
7,891,447 |
8,174,750 |
34 |
|
Victim assistance |
2,700,992 |
2,797,958 |
12 |
|
Advocacy |
987,000 |
1,022,433 |
4 |
|
Total |
23,159,725 |
23,991,159 |
100 |
Although Australia contributed 48% less in 2012 than in 2011, it remained at similar funding levels as other years. Future funding commitments are dependent on their post-2014 mine action strategy.
Summary of contributions: 2008–2012[4]
|
Year |
Amount (A$) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year ($) |
|
2012 |
23,159,725 |
23,991,159 |
-48 |
|
2011 |
44,238,832 |
45,707,561 |
87 |
|
2010 |
26,570,740 |
24,445,081 |
26 |
|
2009 |
24,451,706 |
19,382,870 |
7 |
|
2008 |
21,263,137 |
18,152,340 |
9 |
|
Total |
139,684,140 |
131,679,011 |
N/A |
[1] Average exchange rate for 2012: A$1=US$1.0359. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2013.
[2] Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, Protocol II, Form B, 28 March 2013.
[3] International Support Unit, “Assistance for Victim Assistance: Financial Assistance, Australia,” AP Mine Convention website, accessed 25 July 2013.
[4] See Landmine Monitor reports 2008–2011; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Australia: Support for Mine Action,” 10 September 2013.