Support to Mine Coordination in Afghanistan
The Mine Action Technical Cell (MATC) is cornerstone to Afghanistan’s humanitarian mine action, ensuring that lifesaving activities are strategically coordinated and effectively implemented. Through its co-funding, SDC strengthens MATC’s ability to guide and optimize mine action operations – helping to protect communities, safeguard humanitarian access, and maintain the momentum of clearance and risk-reduction efforts across the country.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan |
Conflict & fragility Emergency Relief and Protection
Removal of land mines
Protection, access & security Humanitarian efficiency |
01.04.2026
- 31.03.2027 |
CHF 511’082
|
- Other UN Organisation
- UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service)
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Removal of land mines and explosive remnants of war
Material relief assistance and services
Relief co-ordination; protection and support services
Cross-cutting topics The project supports partner organisation improvements as a priority
Aid Type Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F11715
| Background | Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most heavily contaminated countries after four decades of conflict, with explosive ordnance causing an average of 40 civilian casualties per month in 2025, and over 6 million people (approximately 15% of the population) affected by land mines. Children account for around 70% of the casualties. |
| Objectives | The overarching goal of the intervention is to ensure a coordinated and effective mine action sector in Afghanistan to conduct the clearing of explosive ordnances swiftly and safely. The intervention helps ensure that Afghan women, men, and children can restore their livelihoods, rebuild their communities, and move forward without fear. |
| Target groups | The MATC is the main target, with all national and international humanitarian mine action organizations active in Afghanistan also benefitting from the project. The indirect beneficiaries include the communities living in close vicinity of contaminated areas, farmers and pastoralists, and the growing number of returnees from Pakistan and Iran resettling in EO‑affected districts. Indirect beneficiaries are also all humanitarian organizations which benefit from the services of mine action organizations. |
| Medium-term outcomes | Outcome 1: The mine action sector is efficiently coordinated by MATC |
| Results |
Expected results: Output 1.1: Financial, logistical, and capacity support is provided to the MATC to effectively manage their operations Output 1.2: HMA activities are coordinated, prioritized, gender responsive and effective Output 1.3: Technical support for mine action partners is provided by MATC Output 1.4: The country-wide mine action database is up to date and well kept Output 1.5: Mine action projects are in line with the Afghan Mine Action Standards (AMAS) Results from previous phases: N/A |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Project partners |
Contract partner United Nations Organization (UNO) |
| Coordination with other projects and actors | The project will have an essential and strategic link with the Small Action project “Information Management Support to Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan” (7F-10968.01.18) implemented by GICDH. |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 511’082 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 357’757 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF 0 Budget inclusive project partner CHF 511’082 |
| Project phases | Phase 1 01.04.2026 - 31.03.2027 (Current phase) |
