Ireland
Support for Mine Action
In 2021, Ireland contributed €3.2 million (US$3.7 million) in mine action funding to seven countries and one other area, as well as to global activities.[1] As in previous years, Ireland allocated most of its mine action support to humanitarian demining activities.
Contributions by recipient: 2021[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Somaliland |
Clearance |
650,000 |
768,950 |
|
Cambodia |
Clearance |
600,000 |
709,800 |
|
Zimbabwe |
Clearance |
550,000 |
650,650 |
|
Lao PDR |
Clearance |
353,500 |
418,191 |
|
South Sudan |
Clearance |
330,000 |
390,390 |
|
Afghanistan |
Clearance |
300,000 |
354,900 |
|
Vietnam |
Clearance |
250,000 |
295,750 |
|
Colombia |
Clearance |
100,000 |
118,300 |
|
Global |
Advocacy |
24,300 |
28,747 |
|
Total |
3,157,800 |
3,735,678 |
Mine action assistance approach
Ireland’s mine action assistance has consistently been allocated to clearance and risk education efforts, with €35.7 million ($43.6 million) provided in 2010–2021.
In Ireland’s Humanitarian Assistance Policy, support for demining activities is included under Policy Objective 3, on linking humanitarian and development approaches.[3] Ireland is regularly emphasizing the links between mine action and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).[4]
In 2022, Ireland reported that its mine action program was under review, and that the results of the evaluation would be used to inform its assistance for 2023 and beyond.[5]
COVID-19 and mine action support
Ireland reported having reallocated some funding from Colombia, where COVID-19 restrictions had prevented activities, to projects in Afghanistan and Somalia. Program targets were amended accordingly.[6] No major disruption was reported to Ireland-supported programs in Southeast Asia.[7] Irish funding for clearance activities implemented by the HALO Trust in five countries was disbursed incrementally based on quarterly progress reports, rather than as a “one-off” payment.[8] This was aimed at addressing uncertainties in the delivery of planned activities amid limitations related to the pandemic.
Five-year support to mine action
In the five-year period from 2017–2021, Ireland’s contribution to mine action totaled more than €14.7 million ($17 million). In comparison, during the previous five-year period from 2012–2016, Ireland’s support to mine action amounted to €15.6 million ($19.2 million).
Summary of contributions: 2017–2021[9]
|
Year |
Amount (€) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
|
2021 |
3,157,800 |
3,735,678 |
-2 |
|
2020 |
3,356,800 |
3,830,110 |
+4 |
|
2019 |
3,295,000 |
3,687,795 |
-5 |
|
2018 |
3,295,000 |
3,893,702 |
+114 |
|
2017 |
1,610,000 |
1,819,461 |
-45 |
|
Total |
14,714,600 |
16,966,746 |
N/A |
Note: N/A=not applicable.
[1] Average exchange rate for 2021: €1=US$1.1830. United States (US) Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2022.
[2] Ireland Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2021), Form J. See, Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Database; and Ireland Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Report (for calendar year 2021), Form I. See, Convention on Cluster Munitions Article 7 Database.
[3] Irish Aid, “Ireland’s Humanitarian Assistance Policy 2015,” undated.
[4] See, for example, statement of Ireland, Sixth Annual Pledging Conference for the Implementation of the Mine Ban Treaty, Geneva, 23 February 2021; and statement of Ireland, Mine Ban Treaty Eighteenth Meeting of States Parties, held virtually, 16–20 November 2020.
[5] Mine Action Support Group (MASG) meeting, “Annex A: Donor Updates,” 27 April 2022.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid. The five countries were: Afghanistan, Colombia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
[9] See previous Monitor reports.