Australia
Support for Mine Action
In 2014, the Commonwealth of Australia contributed A$7,325,715 (US$6,618,051)[1] in mine action funding to 12 recipients, including six countries—the largest of which went to Cambodia and Palau.
Australia’s mine action funding is based on its 2010–2014 Mine Action Strategy. Australia focuses its assistance on the Asia-Pacific region, where it allocated almost 60% of its funding in 2014.
Contributions by recipient: 2014[2]
|
Recipient |
Sector |
Amount (A$) |
Amount (US$) |
|
Cambodia |
Clearance |
2,000,000 |
1,806,800 |
|
Global |
Various |
1,458,261 |
1,317,393 |
|
ICRC |
Clearance & victim assistance |
1,250,000 |
1,129,250 |
|
Palau |
Clearance |
1,012,454 |
914,651 |
|
Lao PDR |
Clearance |
600,000 |
542,040 |
|
Mozambique |
Clearance |
400,000 |
361,360 |
|
Lebanon |
Clearance |
355,000 |
320,707 |
|
Vietnam |
Victim assistance |
250,000 |
225,850 |
|
Total |
|
7,325,715 |
6,618,051 |
In 2014, Australia contributed more than 13% of its support A$1,000,000 ($903,400) to victim assistance through the ICRC Special Fund for the Disabled. The Australian aid program, guided by a disability-inclusive 2009–2014 development strategy (“Development for All”) also provides approximately $10 million per year to programs that impact the lives of persons with disabilities. It is intended to benefit landmine and cluster munition victims, their families, and communities.[3]
Contributions by thematic sector: 2014
|
Sector |
Amount (A$) |
Amount (US$) |
% of total contribution |
|
Clearance |
4,536,553 |
4,098,322 |
61.9 |
|
Advocacy |
1,009,162 |
911,677 |
13.8 |
|
Victim assistance |
1,000,000 |
903,400 |
13.7 |
|
Various |
780,000 |
704,652 |
10.6 |
|
Total |
7,325,715 |
6,618,051 |
100 |
Although Australia’s contributions to mine action have significantly decreased from 2010 to 2014 (down from A$26.6 million/US$24.4 million in 2010 to A$7.3 million/US$6.6 million in 2014), it has exceeded its commitment to provide A$100 million to mine action over the period.[4] Future funding commitments are dependent on their post-2014 mine action strategy. In October 2014, Australia reported that a review of its mine action strategy was planned for late 2014.[5] As of July 2015 the results of the review had not been publicly released.
Summary of contributions: 2010–2014[6]
|
Year |
Amount (A$) |
Amount (US$) |
% change from previous year (US$) |
|
2014 |
7,325,715 |
6,618,051 |
-54 |
|
2013 |
14,913,542 |
14,450,825 |
-40 |
|
2012 |
23,159,725 |
23,991,159 |
-48 |
|
2011 |
44,238,832 |
45,707,561 |
87 |
|
2010 |
26,570,740 |
24,445,081 |
26 |
|
Total |
116,208,554 |
115,212,677 |
N/A |
Note: N/A = not applicable
[1] Average exchange rate for 2014: A$1=US$0.9034. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 2 January 2015.
[2] Mine Ban Treaty Article 7 Report, Form J, 30 April 2015.
[3] International Support Unit, “Assistance for Victim Assistance: Financial Assistance, Australia,” AP Mine Convention website, undated.
[4] “Under the strategy, Australia pledges $100 million to work towards a world free from landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war over the next five years.” Mine Action Strategy for the Australian aid program, 2010-2014, AusAID, p. iii, November 2009.
[5] Statement of Australia, Mine Action Support Group Meeting, New York, 10 October 2014.
[6] See previous Monitor reports.