The United States and Norway today announced a new U.S.-Norwegian Demining Initiative. This effort addresses the humanitarian impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance by working to save lives and help post-conflict communities around the world rebuild.
Under this new initiative, the U.S. intends to provide an additional $10.8 million this year to clear portions of Iraq liberated from ISIL occupation and spend up to $8 million next year to do the same in liberated portions of Syria.
Norway is announcing its intent to provide an additional $9.8 million for mine action this year, with a particular focus on Iraq and Syria, and plans to increase its financial support for global mine action by $15 million next year.
The initiative, built upon the Global Demining Initiative for Colombia announced earlier this year and led by the United States and Norway, also marks the first step toward establishing a broader regional partnership to safely clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in post-conflict countries, as envisioned at the May 13 U.S.-Nordic Leaders’ Summit.
The United States and Norway will convene a ministerial-level demining conference this fall on the margins of the UN General Assembly in order to secure commitments on humanitarian mine action from other governments and private sector partners, and thereby help further the cause of international peace and security.
The United States is the world’s largest single financial supporter of efforts to clear unexploded ordnance and landmines, having contributed more than $2.5 billion since 1993 to over 90 countries around the world through more than 60 partner organizations.