Published on 1 February 2026

Mine action

Humanitarian mine action makes an important contribution to peace, security and development and is a key element of humanitarian aid and socio-economic development in areas affected. Switzerland is committed to a world in which people can live without the risk of mines and other remnants of war.

A minefield warning sign near Hostomel in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. — © Sean Sutton/MAG

Humanitarian mine action can look back on great successes. In the last 30 years, important international agreements have been adopted in the form of the Ottawa Convention (anti-personnel mines) and the Oslo Convention (cluster munitions). Their implementation has made a difference: so far, over 30 states have been completely cleared of mines, and in ten countries, all remnants of cluster munitions have been removed. And yet, dozens of people are killed and injured every day because of mines and other explosive remnants of war. The number of victims has risen again in recent years, which makes it clear that efforts in the field of humanitarian demining are still needed.

Switzerland has been involved in mine action for more than 30 years. It continues to promote projects in the affected states and deploys specialised military personnel on the ground. It also works at the diplomatic, legal and practical levels to ensure that the relevant conventions are universally implemented. Switzerland has also created a centre of expertise benefiting the entire sector: the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining.

• Goals of mine action

  Mines and other ordnance, such as unexploded ordnance or other explosive remnants of war, continue to pose a major threat to civilians even years after the end of hostilities. Mine action helps to mitigate the social, economic and environmental impact of mines and other explosive ordnance. The goal is twofold: to prevent accidents and further suffering, and to help affected communities return to their sustainable development. To this end, in addition to the actual clearance work, it also includes Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), victim assistance, advocacy for the ban on anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions, and the destruction of stockpiles.

  

  The five pillars of humanitarian demining: 1. mine clearance, 2. risk education, 3. victim assistance, 4. advocacy and 5. stockpile destruction. — © FDFA/DDPS

Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024)

On 17–18 October 2024, Switzerland and Ukraine jointly hosted the Ukraine Mine Action Conference (UMAC2024) in Lausanne. At the conference, the ‘Lausanne Call for Action’ was adopted, which calls on states to take concrete measures in the field of mine action. This is crucial in order to rebuild society and the economy. Switzerland is also supporting Ukraine with its expertise and contributing CHF 100 million over four years to clear civilian areas of mines.

Action Plan on Mine Action for 2023–26

As set out in its Action Plan on Mine Action for 2023–26, Switzerland's long-term goal is a world in which people can live without the risks of mines and other explosive remnants of war, thus enabling them to pursue sustainable economic and social development. In order to realise the vision of the action plan, the FDFA and the DDPS will carry out activities in the following three areas from 2023 to 2026:

• Field of action 1: Promotion of the normative framework
• Field of action 2: Humanitarian mine action on the ground
• Field of action 3: Innovation

• Example: Cambodia

  A total of 30 years of war and conflict have left an estimated 3 to 4 million mines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war in Cambodia. They are still causing the deaths of countless people and hindering economic and sustainable development.

  Humanitarian demining makes entire areas safe and habitable again. It enables farmers to regain access to their land and use it for agricultural purposes. As one farmer explains: “Before the mines were cleared, I lived in constant fear. We used to burn the mines, but this only put our lives at greater risk. Now I can farm my fields safely again.”

Links

• International humanitarian law: Prohibition and restriction of weapons
• Disarmament and non-proliferation

Documents

• 2023–2026 Action Plan on Mine Action

  PDF4.11 MB4 April 2003