Annual Report
2020
Reducing risk from explosive ordnance
Making communities safe
FOREWORD
In 2020, the GICHD continued providing its services to national and international partners, with the ultimate goal of reducing risk from explosive ordnance and making communities safe. Faced with the challenges and limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre put much effort into adapting to the new context and ensuring the delivery of its services through remote means. This process paid off to a significant extent and proved the Centre’s flexibility and adaptability, whilst also generating lessons that are still being evaluated and that will influence its future way of operating.
Meanwhile, the GICHD reached the mid-term of its strategy 2019-2022, consolidating its traditional areas of work, but also developing new programmes. For example, the need for the GICHD to support affected states in developing strategic plans to address mine-action challenges has grown exponentially. Thus, in 2020, the GICHD decided to strengthen its strategic planning programme and reinforce the team. Also, the Centre worked towards enabling a more coherent approach to the delivery of projects at country level, ensuring in particular the correct timing and sequencing between the development and adoption of national standards and the operational follow-up, such as training.
In 2020, particular attention and efforts have been devoted to the roll-out of the GICHD Ammunition Management Advisory Team in response to requests for technical assistance to states in the safe and secure management of ammunition, to the integration of gender and diversity dimensions throughout all activities of the Centre and to the further study of linkages between mine action and sustainable development. Mine action is a precondition and a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, such as those related to poverty reduction, food security, education, health and gender equality. It is therefore essential for national authorities to integrate mine action into their broader national efforts related to humanitarian action, peace building and development.
Mine action is needed more than ever. At the GICHD, we are convinced that through the combination of political will, international solidarity and the implementation of good practices, a world in which societies can thrive free from explosive ordnance is possible and within reach.
Dr Barbara Haering
President of the Council of Foundation
Ambassador Stefano Toscano
GICHD Director
-
staff members
47
women
-
staff members
32
Men
-
from
26
different countries
looking back at 2020
Responding effectively to the COVID-19 crisis
In its efforts to evolve its delivery methods, the GICHD considered the delivery of services online, via a hybrid method (partly online and partly in-person) and in-person (where possible).
Much of our work needed to migrate to remote delivery to enable us to maintain operational continuity. Building on the successful work done to develop and launch the online e-learning course on Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in 2019, the GICHD relied on similar tools and platforms to migrate other areas of its work. Over the course of 2020, some of our traditional training courses such as Technical Survey and Quality Management migrated fully or partially online. These courses were then delivered remotely to our partners. The feedback received was generally very positive.
With the evolution of our working modalities, it was important that the in-house capabilities and infrastructure evolved, too. Equally important was the recognition that both the quantity and the quality of our work had to go through a period of adjustment due to new delivery methods. On the whole the new methods have proven to work satisfactorily and have allowed the GICHD to deliver on most of its 2020 objectives. Still, not all of our work with external partners lent itself to be executed remotely. As a result, the GICHD staff travelled to several places in 2020, where this was safe and possible to do so.
Beneficiary countries & territories
In 2020, the GICHD supported national authorities, international and regional organisations, and NGOs in 49 countries and territories. The GICHD adapted to the COVID-19 crisis by increasing its remote support. However, when in-person contact was deemed essential and destinations were accessible, GICHD staff travelled to provide on-site support, liaise with partners and donors, and organise workshops and training courses.
Disclaimer: This map is for illustrative purposes and does not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of the GICHD concerning the legal status of any country or territory, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries
2020
results
01
National strategies are developed, adopted and implemented by states according to good practice
Read more
2020 results
National strategies are developed, adopted and implemented by states according to good practice
1 national strategy developed, with gender and diversity considerations integrated
Afghanistan
2 national and donor strategies revised
German Federal Foreign Office, South Sudan
1 national strategy improved
Angola
4 national strategies implemented
Kosovo, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe
1 national strategy assessment conducted
Afghanistan
02
National mine action standards (NMAS) are developed, adopted and implemented by states, according to international standards
Read more
2020 results
National mine action standards (NMAS) are developed, adopted and implemented by states, according to international standards
3 targeted NMAS assessments completed
Cambodia, Vietnam, Yemen
3 countries where NMAS reviewed and updated
Cambodia, Vietnam, Yemen
1 country where NMAS related to IED response updated
Yemen
1 workshop conducted; 1 workshop supported
Afghanistan, Yemen
78% of participants that responded, reported that they acquired practical and theoretical knowledge
1 publication developed
IED Clearance Good Practice Guide
03
States and other partners use quality information to support their programming and operational management
Read more
2020 results
States and other partners use quality information to support their programming and operational management
4 states improved their information management system as per GICHD’s capacity development framework
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Iraq, Lebanon
5 assessments conducted
Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Iraq, Lebanon
4 states and 5 partners adopted GICHD information management tools
Afghanistan, Libya, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan; Mayday Rescue for Syria, UNMAS in Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Somalia
2020 results
Land release is implemented by states and other partners, according to good practice
2 tools developed
Technical Simulator (TSIM), Demining Accidents Database (DAD)
4 training courses; 3 workshops conducted for 120 participants (25 women, 95 men)
Operations Analyst (Colombia), Non-Technical Survey (Afghanistan), Accident Investigation (global), Quality Management (SEA-region), Operational Efficiency (Ukraine), Technical Survey (Afghanistan)
2 studies developed
- Land release (Afghanistan)
- Technical survey (Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
05
Regional cooperation furthers the exchange, dissemination and adoption of good practice
Read more
2020 results
Regional cooperation furthers the exchange, dissemination and adoption of good practice
21 countries exchanged good practice through regional cooperation
Armenia, Belarus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Yemen
6 national mine action authorities adopted good practice
Armenia, Georgia, Somalia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Ukraine
42 translations of IMAS in national / regional languages delivered
14 IMAS (French), 14 IMAS and T&EP (Russian), 14 IMAS (Arabic)
06
Risks from explosive ordnance are reduced in a gender and diversity sensitive and responsive manner
Read more
2020 results
Risks from explosive ordnance are reduced in a gender and diversity sensitive and responsive manner
3 gender and diversity baseline assessments completed
Afghanistan, HALO Trust Afghanistan, HALO Trust Somalia
13 countries and / or partners equipped with a dedicated capacity on gender and diversity
Afghanistan, Cambodia, Colombia, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, Vietnam
60% of countries improved their gender and diversity response system and practices
10 countries and / or partners formalised their gender and diversity mainstreaming frameworks
Afghanistan, Cambodia, Colombia, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Vietnam
5 training courses developed, with 11 people trained (5 women, 6 men) and 1,432 online users
93% of participants applied new knowledge and skills (10 women, 3 men)
1 NMAA and 12 partners adopted EORE good practice shared
4 global policies or agendas promoting EORE produced
2 publications developed
- Strengthening a Sustainable National Capacity for Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming in Mine Action
- Review of New Technologies and Methodologies for EORE in Challenging Contexts
2020 results
Ammunition is managed by states according to good practice
2 states completed a baseline assessment
Mauritania, Moldova
1 state; 2 partners assisted in improving the safe and secure management of ammunition based on good practice
Guinea Bissau, UNODA, UN SaferGuard
1 online course, 1 workshop to which AMAT contributed
UNODA-DPO’s DDR WAM course, OAS regional workshop on PSSM
1 video, 1 publication and 1 e-book developed
- Security Sector Reform and Ammunition Management: Lessons Learned from Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Reducing Risks Associated with Ammonium Nitrate
- Ammunition Safety Management
08
Implementation of conventions is fostered through the provision of expertise and logistical support
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2020 results
Implementation of conventions is fostered through the provision of expertise and logistical support
19 references to GICHD substantive and logistical support
by States Parties during the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and the Convention on Conventional Weapons meetings
5 extension requests under the APMBC and CCM supported by the GICHD
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, Colombia, Lebanon, South Sudan
3 States Parties the subject of a country-focused and individualised approach (APMBC / CCM) supported
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon
2020 results
Relevant concepts, methods and tools are captured in international standards
9 IMAS and TNMA submitted for consideration and approved by the IMAS Review Board
100% of new standards include gender and diversity considerations
1 global training course conducted with 20 participants (5 women, 15 men)
2020 results
International normative and policy processes are informed by evidence
2 international and policy processes that received advice
by States Parties during the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC), the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and the Convention on Conventional Weapons meetings
1 reference to GICHD’s expertise explosive weapons in populated areas discussions
11
The reduction of risks from explosive ordnance contributes to humanitarian action and sustainable development
Read more
2020 results
The reduction of risks from explosive ordnance contributes to humanitarian action and sustainable development
1 tool adapted under Entreprise Geographic Information System to benefit gender equality, humanitarian, peace, security and development stakeholders
7 cross-thematic partnerships engaged
UNDP, OSCE SMM, Mdp Gender and Diversity Hub, International Gender Champions, CEOBS, SIPRI, and GCSP
3 national strategies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Lao PDR
3 interventions in external training courses
- GPC Global Protection Forum 2020
- 18th MSP, organised by NPA and CEOBS
- Leadership in International Security Course (LISC) ‐ GCSP
2 publications developed linking mine action and broader agendas
- Linking mine action and the 2020 Agenda: Insights from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lao PDR
- The Sustainable Development Outcomes of Mine Action in Jordan
2020
stories
Armen
Armen Harutyunyan is Operational Efficiency Advisor. Hear how his team provides advice and training services to national mine action authorities for an efficient and effective allocation of resources.
View storyTammy
Tammy Hall is Head of Standards and Operations. Hear how her team puts a lot of effort into translating international guidance into national standards, adapting them to the country context.
View story
Steve
Steve Hellen is the GICHD’s new Head of Information Management. Find out how the powerful information management digital platform, IMSMA Core, and the definitions of data, help the mine action sector share information, compare data and outcomes, and aggregate results.
View storyJovi
Jovana Carapic is Programme Manager for the Ammunition Management Advisory Team. She explains how her team provides technical assistance in safe and secure ammunition management to states, and develops methodologies, concepts and tools.
View story
Angela
Angela Hoyos is External Relations and Policy Advisor. She explains how mine action directly contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, and presents the findings of her case study on Jordan.
View storyDominic
Dominic Wolsey is Gender and Diversity Advisor. Hear how his team works towards gender equality and inclusion in mine action, and how it contributed to raising the profile of risk education in 2020.
View story
Financial Overview
All amounts in CHF
Expenditures and
revenues statement
2020
Operations
Publications and outreach
228'164
Travel costs
130'108
Professional fees (events & consultants)
2'120'549
Travel costs for third parties
89'745
Staff
Personnel expenses
10'772'670
General Services
ICT and furniture maintenance
228'287
ICT and furniture acquisitions
624'322
ICT running costs
153'657
Office supplies
20'595
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous expenses (office rent, bank charges and insurance premiums)
736'679
In-kind expenditures
524'969
Subtotal
Total direct expenses
15'629'745
Financial results
291'344
Total expenditures
15'921'089
Contribution
Contributions received
16'212'053
Activities / contributions deferred to next year
(1'991'256)
Activities / contributions deferred from previous year
1'092'852
Total contributions for the year
15'313'648
Other income
Miscellaneous income
82'972
In-kind contributions
524'469
Total revenues
15'921'089
Expenditures per
immediate outcome
2020
IO1. National strategies are developed, adopted and implemented by states, according to good practice
827'353
IO2. National standards are developed, adopted and implemented by states, according to international standards
1'269'103
IO3. States and other partners use quality information to support their programming and operational management
3'130'365
IO4. Land release is implemented by states and other partners, according to good practice
2'343'982
IO5. Regional cooperation furthers the exchange, dissemination and adoption of good practice
640'305
IO6. Risks from explosive ordnance are reduced in a gender and diversity sensitive and responsive manner
1'248'605
IO7. Ammunition is managed by states according to good practice
2'570'617
IO8. Implementation of conventions is fostered through the provision of expertise and logistical support
799'095
IO9. Relevant concepts, methods and tools are captured in international standards
630'819
IO10. International normative and policy processes are informed by evidence
112'865
IO11. The reduction of risks from explosive ordnance contributes to humanitarian action and sustainable developmentlah
2'347'975
donors
The GICHD is grateful to all contributors who make its work possible. In 2020, the Centre benefitted from core contributions, project funding and in-kind support from 40 governments and organisations.
Australia
Austria
Canada
City of Geneva
Finland
Germany
Italy
Norway
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
The United Kingdom
The United States of America
Enhancing Human Security (ITF)
The European Union
The HALO Trust
UN Office of Disarmament Affairs
UN Development Programme
In-kind contributions from governments and organisations:
ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre, Austrian Ministry of Defence, Cambodian Mine Action Centre, City of Geneva, Descontamina - OACP, Directorate of Mine Action Coordination, Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), Facebook, Fondation Suisse de Déminage, Government of Germany, Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP), Humanity & Inclusion (HI), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Janus, Lebanon Mine Action Center, Microsoft Azure, Mines Advisory Group (MAG), Norwegian People´s Aid (NPA), OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Safe Software Inc., Slido, Survey Monkey, Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Swiss Federal Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Tetratech, The HALO Trust, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Wix.
Beneficiary countries & territories
- Supporting national authorities to develop, adopt, resource, implement, and monitor national mine action and ammunition management strategies, according to good practice.
- Enabling national authorities to have and meet national mine action standards according to international standards.
- Enabling national mine action authorities and other partners to collect and use quality information in support of their programming and operational management.
- Enabling national mine action authorities and other partners to follow good practice in land release to achieve cost efficiency.
- Facilitating the exchange of good practice between affected countries in local languages to strengthen dialogue and cooperation in mine action and ammunition management.
- Supporting national authorities and other partners to mainstream gender and diversity in all areas of mine action and ammunition management to ensure better results.
- Supporting national authorities to manage ammunition stockpiles according to International Ammunition Technical Guidelines.
- Embedding mine action and ammunition management even more firmly into broader agendas such as those relating to humanitarian action, peace, security and sustainable development.
- Enhancing the resilience of people and communities to the risk posed by explosive ordnance by promoting safe behaviour.
- Providing expertise and logistical support for the implementation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
- Developing and implementing International Mine Action Standards to promote a common approach to the conduct of operations.
- Informing by evidence international normative and policy processes.