Ethiopia

Support for Mine Action

Last updated: 07 October 2013

In 2012, the mine action program in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia was transferred from the Ethiopia Mine Action Office (EMAO) to the Ministry of National Defense. At the same time, EMAO reported it needed US$10 million to clear the remaining mined areas, but with mine action transferred to the Ministry of National Defense,[1] funding was impeded because donors that support humanitarian demining through their foreign aid programs are generally constrained from providing funds to the army. The funding for clearance in 2012 went to Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), who have since closed its mine action program in Ethiopia.[2]

The United States (US) contribution through the Leahy War Victims Fund of the US Agency for International Development went to the ICRC to support rehabilitation centers in Ethiopia.[3]

International contributions: 2012[4]

Donor

Sector

National currency

Amount ($)

Norway

Clearance, victim assistance

NOK6,915,350

1,188,592

US

Victim assistance

$939,700

939,700

Austria

Victim assistance

€150,000

192,885

Netherlands

Clearance

€150,000

192,885

Total

 

 

2,514,062

Summary of international contributions: 2008–2012[5]

Year

Amount ($)

2012

2,514,062

2011

3,797,268

2010

10,780,398

2009

7,578,249

2008

9,463,549

Total

34,133,526

 

 



[1] Statement of Ethiopia, Mine Ban Treaty Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Geneva, 24 May 2012.

[2] Email from Aubrey Sutherland-Pillai, Programme Manager, NPA, 22 August 2012.

[3] ICRC, “ICRC Annual Report 2012,” p.538.

[4] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Ingunn Vatne, Senior Advisor, Department for Human Rights, Democracy and Humanitarian Assistance, Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 11 April 2013; ICRC “ICRC Annual Report 2012,” p.538; response to Monitor questionnaire by Robert Gerschner, Unit for Arms Control and Disarmament in the framework of the UN, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Austria, 26 February 2013; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Fabienne Moust, Policy Advisor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, 19 March 2013. Average exchange rate for 2012: NOK5.8181=US$1 and €1=US$1.2859. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2013.

[5] See Landmine Monitor reports 2008–2011; and ICBL-CMC, “Country Profile: Ethiopia: Support for Mine Action,” 26 August 2011.