Sida's Contributions to Humanitarian Mine Action

cal implementation and management, are in reality only semi-independent entities. In spite of theambiguities witnessed in the Afghan programme, it appears that there is a distinct trend towardsseparating the coordination and implementation functions of MACs. This trend is perhaps best exemplifiedby the United Nations Mine Action Coordination Centre (UNMACC) in Kosovo, where theUNMACC’s role is strictly one of coordination. The implementation of HMA in Kosovo is carried outby independent agencies.The NGO channelNongovernmental organizations are amongst the most prominent actors in all facets of HMA. Inrecent years, NGOs have not only been at the forefront of mine action in terms of victim assistance,advocacy and mine awareness, but also with respect to more technical aspects, such as surveying,marking and demining. As a consequence, it has been argued that NGOs have a particular advantagein that they are able to offer innovative, flexible and integrated approaches. 7 In the next sections, weexamine the country-specific programmes of two of the largest implementing NGOs in mine actiontoday – MAG in Northern Iraq and NPA in Angola. Specifically, we focus on the issues of relevance,impact, coordination, sustainability and accountability. In our assessment, we do not attempt a directcomparison of each NGO. Rather, we consider the relative merits of the approach of each organizationin relation to the specific context and set of circumstances it has encountered. The assessment inthe following is based on the country-specific programmes of only two NGOs, and the analysis is thusnot necessarily representative for the NGO sector as a whole. Nevertheless, the assessment providedhere does provide a relatively good indication of the significant strengths and weaknesses of NGOs asan implementation channel.Sida’s roleSida’s initial contribution to MAG’s programme in Iraqi Kurdistan came in 1994. By 1997 and 1998,Sida had emerged as MAG’s central donor, contributing 19.7 and 26 million SEK for each year,respectively. Since 1998, Sida has reduced its funding for the programme substantially, down to 9.7million SEK for 2000. Much of this reduction in MAG’s funding in linked to Sida’s decision to concentrateits funding on southern Iraq, as opposed to northern Iraq where MAG operates. At the sametime, the cuts in Sida’s funding of MAG were also part of a strategic move designed to reduce MAG’sdependence on Sida as a donor. Funding to MAG’s programme has not been earmarked in any way,and MAG has used this funding to support demining and mine-awareness activities, as well as efforts todevelop a national capacity. A capacity study commissioned by Sida in 1998 lauded MAG for its’distinctive profile’ in mine action, emphasizing both its contributions to the ban on landmines and itsinnovative field approaches. However, the study was critical of MAG’s overall financial procedures andgeneral management. 8 In response, MAG now appears to have rectified most of the weaknessesidentified in the study.In comparison to MAG, Sida’s support to NPA projects in Angola has quite a different history. In theearly years of the programme, Sida only supported work in Malanje province, where Sida had had along previous engagement. Sida began its funding of NPA in 1995 with a contract to clear the Luanda-Malanje-Saurimo road. While the latter half of the project was not completed owing to securityproblems, the first part of the road was successfully demined and was opened. Since, the road has beenclosed following the resumption of conflict in the area, and there have been reports of mine accidents7Chris Horwood, 2000. ’Humanitarian Mine Action: The First Decade of a New Sector in Humanitarian Aid,’ Relief andRehabilitation Network Papers 32, London: Overseas Development Institute.8See Bernander, Bernt & Roland Axelsson , 1998. A Capacity Study: Report Prepared for Sida. Stockholm Group for DevelopmentStudies.28 Sida’s CONTRIBUTION TO HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION – Sida EVALUATION 01/06