Friday, April 4, 2014

Swiss involvement in the struggle for a world free of landmines, weapons munitions and other explosive remnants of war

On the occasion of the International Day of awareness of the problem of mines and assistance in Mine Action on 4 April Confederation presented the results of efforts in 2013 as part of the implementation of its strategy in humanitarian demining.


Bern, 04.04.2014 - The number of new victims injured by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war continues to decline. It is important to continue to support those affected. 

On the occasion of the International Day of awareness of the problem of mines and assistance in Mine Action on 4 April Confederation presented the results of efforts in 2013 as part of the implementation of its strategy in humanitarian demining.

Although the number of new wounded by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war continues to decline, it is essential to provide appropriate medical assistance to survivors and to support the population, as to support victims for the economic development of the region. Land infested with mines can not be used, often for years. Therefore pĂ©jore drastically the lives of the inhabitants. Switzerland invests to fight against this scourge.

In Mine Action Strategy of the Swiss Confederation 2012 - 2015, our country's goal is to contribute in a concrete way and internationally to make the world free of landmines, weapons munitions and other explosive remnants of war. Significant progress has been made in 2013 in achieving these goals.

On the political level, Switzerland has obtained a commitment from the secretariat of the Convention on Cluster Munitions is based in Geneva. It is thus reinforce the importance of Geneva as an international place and especially the International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - (GICHD) as a center of expertise. Meanwhile, Switzerland is also committed

internationally to consolidate various international treaties to ensure that commitments for Humanitarian Demining and the fight against possible violations of conventions continue.

At the operational level, efforts have focused on supporting concrete projects for the benefit of priority countries for humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peacebuilding. Civilian and military experts and have been again be directly involved, particularly to support the administration and logistics of disposal projects or to provide technical assistance.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) are responsible for policy and operational aspects of the contribution of Switzerland. These two departments work closely with other governments, international organizations such as the UN, the ICRC, and civil society.

In 2013, the Swiss Army hired professional military personnel of the Competence Centre demining and disposal of unexploded ordnance in the army (Cen-DEMUNEX comp NBC) and military militia in programs established to favor of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia / Somaliland, South Sudan, Western Sahara and the UN headquarters in New York.

The contribution of military militia is very popular, because they have skills combining knowledge base military, military driving experience and technical knowledge in civil cases. The organization of national building and training of local staff to work disposal have been the primary targets of these commitments. At the same time, management structures and conduct have been implemented.

In addition to efforts at the political level, including the DFA supports projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, 
Cambodia, Kosovo, Laos, Lebanon, Mali, Burma (Myanmar), the Philippines, Somalia / Somaliland, Sri Lanka, South Sudan and Syria.

The commitment of Switzerland have been slightly increased compared to previous years. The total value of funds available and operational contributions exceed seventeen million Swiss francs. The International Centre for Humanitarian Demining - Geneva received almost half of these resources.

Address for inquiries:

VBS / Swiss Army
Christoph Brunner
Head of the Defence Information
031 325 18 39 DFA DFA Information 031 322 31 53

Author:

Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
Internet: http://www.vbs.admin.ch
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/fr/home/recent/media.html
Defence area
Internet: http://www.vtg.admin.ch

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