Swiss commitment to humanitarian demining 2024

Mines and other explosive ordnance, such as unexploded ordnance or other explosive remnants of war, pose a major threat to the civilian population even years after the end of hostilities. Mine action contributes to alleviating the social, economic and environmental impact of mines and other explosive ordnance, such as unexploded ordnance. On the one hand, it is directly concerned with preventing accidents and new suffering. On the other hand, it aims to enable the sustainable development of the affected communities. For this reason, in addition to the actual clearance work, it also includes Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), victim assistance, the advocacy for the ban of anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions, and the destruction of stockpiles.

From 25 to 29 November 2024, the States Parties to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines met in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for the Fifth Review Conference. An action plan for implementing the Convention over the next five years was adopted. The Swiss delegation actively supported an ambitious plan with a series of actions and clear indicators to monitor progress. It supported Cambodia in the organisation of the conference, in addition to its long-standing commitment to mine action in Cambodia.

The FDFA has been supporting Kosovo for years in its efforts to rid the country of mines and cluster munitions.

In 2024, Kosovo adopted a national strategy to achieve mine-free status by 2030. The strategy was drawn up with the support of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD).

The FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) has supported the efforts of local and international actors to clear areas throughout the country, with a focus on populated areas where the risk of accidents is higher. Most recently, implementing partner The HALO Trust faced a particular challenge in the western part of Kosovo, as it had to obtain the consent of the local population to gain access to privately owned land and backyards. Furthermore, given the proximity to residential areas, additional security measures were taken to protect the population.

With the support of the PHRD, the remaining cluster munition remnants were located and destroyed during the one-year operation in the small village of Arllat, 30 kilometres west of Pristina, which helped to increase general security and promote long-term peace. The village was declared free of cluster munitions at the end of 2024.

Since June 2024, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist from the Swiss Armed Forces has been deployed to support the Western Sahara programme of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS). He works as a civilian operations officer at the headquarters in Laayoune. The position offers a wide range of activities, including support for planning work and projects. The observers of the UN mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) are regularly sensitised to the danger of unexploded ordnance and minefields. The specialist is also active in the field, for example when checking routes or carrying out quality assurance on minefields. There, it must be ensured that the clearance complies with international mine action standards (IMAS). This collaboration also facilitates the transfer of knowledge and exchange of experience, which is of benefit to the Swiss Armed Forces' Centre of Excellence for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Mine Clearance (Kdo KAMIR).

The deminer also uses his expertise to support the UN observers in investigating explosions. The identification of ammunition residues and craters provides information about the weapon system used and the approximate direction of fire and can be used in subsequent MINURSO reports.

With Switzerland's support, the Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD) in Ukraine used innovative technologies such as drones with radar sensors, satellite images and remote-controlled demining equipment to make mine detection and clearance more efficient and safer. Drones with special ground-penetrating radars make it possible to detect mines and other explosive ordnance, even if they are under the surface or hidden by vegetation. These advanced methods make a significant contribution to speeding up mine clearance and minimising the risks for the teams involved.