Palau
Support for Mine Action
The Republic of Palau has a problem of unexploded ordnance and abandoned mine stockpiles dating from World War II. Many of the remnants are either unexploded or partially exploded. They are present both on land and underwater, thus posing a serious threat to the population, tourists, and the environment.[1] In 2012, five donors contributed US$2,649,013 to clear the mines. This was a major increase from $240,914 in 2011.[2]
Cleared Ground Demining (CGD) is the recipient of the funds for Palau, with the exception of Japanese funding that is allocated through the Japan Mine Action Service. The funding is used to train Palauan teams to conduct battle area clearance, explosive ordnance disposal spot tasks, and risk education. In addition, funding is also employed to support the clearance of suspected hazardous areas that are located adjacent to Peleliu’s power plant and railway system, as well as in underwater areas.[3]
International contributions: 2012[4]
|
Donor |
Sector |
Amount (national currency) |
Amount ($) |
|
Australia |
Clearance |
A$1,350,544 |
1,399,029 |
|
Japan |
Clearance |
¥59,855,980 |
749,887 |
|
Germany |
Clearance |
€136,633 |
175,696 |
|
Canada |
Clearance |
C$174,314 |
174,401 |
|
United States (US) |
Clearance |
$150,000 |
150,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
2,649,013 |
Summary of international contributions: 2009–2012[5]
|
Year |
Donors |
Contributions ($) |
|
2012 |
Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, US |
2,649,013 |
|
2011 |
Canada, Germany |
240,914 |
|
2010 |
Canada, Germany |
190,400 |
|
2009 |
US |
85,000 |
|
Total |
|
3,165,327 |
[1] German Embassy, Philippines, “German funded initiatives in Palau,” 14 May 2012.
[2] Australia, Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), Amended Protocol II, Form B, 28 March 2013;
Canada, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2013; Germany, CCW, Amended Protocol II, Form B, 22 March 2013; Japan, CCW, Amended Protocol II, 28 March 2013; United States (US) Department of State, “To Walk the Earth in Safety 2013,” Washington DC, August 2013.
[3] Ida Torres, “Japanese experts to remove WWII bombs in Palau,” 6 March 2013; David P. Hardison, “Seventy Years Later, a Different Kind of Island Hopping,” Program Assistant for South East Europe and South East Asia and the Pacific, US Department of State, Office of Weapons Abatement and Removal, 5 September 2013; German Embassy, Philippines, “German funded initiatives in Palau,” 14 May 2012; and CDG, “Republic of Palau Project,” accessed 8 September 2013.
[4] Average exchange rate for 2012: A$1=US$1.0359; ¥79.82=US$1; C$0.9995=US$1; €1=US$1.2859. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2013.
[5] ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Palau: Support for Mine Action,” 10 September 2012.