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Dept for International Development

Answer

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many de-mining programmes have been in operation in Bosnia per annum since 1997; how much aid his Department has contributed to each programme per annum (a) directly, (b) through the EU and (c) through the UN; and if he will make a statement. [131891] Gareth Thomas: The UK bilateral contribution to demining in Bosnia since 1997 is £1 million which was paid in 2000-01 into the International Trust Fund (ITF) for demining. The ITF is an international body of which the UN is a partner. These funds were used to support demining operations in the Kupres region of the country with priority being given to agricultural areas and areas being used for refugee return. The following table shows the contribution from the EU to demining operations in Bosnia from 1998-2001 (figures obtained from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) website). _________________________________________________________________________________________________. EU contribution to demining in Bosnia US$ Total UK share of EU funding (%) 1998 2,583,000 19.1 1999 5,640,000 17.75 2000 3,330,806 19.66 2001 5,293,412 18.9 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. DFID will make a further contribution to demining in Bosnia this year of £150,000 which will be paid via the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This is our first direct contribution to the UN for demining in Bosnia. These funds will be used to support capacity building of the National Mine Action Authority, improving national survey mechanisms, database co-ordination, development of transparent priority-setting processes, and improving senior and middle management skills through UNDP-sponsored training courses.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

131891; 411 c505W;411 c509W

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Development aid Bombs Bomb disposal International assistance Landmines Bosnia and Herzegovina EU aid

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk