Swiss Foundation for Mine Action
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| Non-governmental organisation | |
| Industry | Landmine relief |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
Area served | Global |
Key people | Henri Leu - President,[1] Hansjoerg Eberle - Director General[2] |
| Website | www.fsd.ch |
The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) is a Swiss non-governmental organisation involved in mine action. "FSD" stands for Fondation Suisse de Déminage, the French name of the organisation). FSD is politically, ideologically and religiously independent. FSD is based in Geneva and operates a logistical and administrative support office in Manila.[3] From 2005 FSD was joined by its French partner FSD France, and from 2007 by CROSSTECH SA, a mine action company which is fully owned by the FSD.
Mission
FSD's focus is on locating and destroying landmines and unexploded ordnance to prevent accidents. FSD’s overarching aim is to alleviate and diminish the social, economic and environmental impacts of landmines and unexploded ordnance, thus creating favourable conditions for the reconstruction and development of war-torn countries.[4]
World-wide operation
In 2007, FSD has led demining operations in Afghanistan, Lebanon, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Laos, Sudan and Burundi. Previously, FSD has intervened in Bosnia, Croatia, Kosovo, Albania, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and elsewhere.[5]
Sources of funds
Major sources of financing are public and private funds, but also multi-lateral organisations, like in Sudan where the programme is supported by UN MAO (United Nations Mine Action Organisation) and CHF International. In 2007, FSD was also funded by ECHO for the clearance of cluster bombs in southern Lebanon. Other major donors include World Food Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services, the United Nations Mine Action Service, the United Nations Development Programme, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the governments of Australia, United States, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Taiwan and South Korea, Swiss cantons and cities, foundations and private donators.
As a foundation under Swiss law, the FSD operates under the supervision of the Swiss federal authorities. Its accounts are audited by KPMG which took over from PricewaterhouseCoopers starting in 2007. The FSD has held the ZEWO quality label certifying its reliability since 2003.[6]
FSD France
In 2005, the FSD was joined by its French partner, the FSD France. This independent, neutral organisation is subject to the French 1901 law on associations. The purpose of this new organisation is to extend the humanitarian mine clearance activities already carried out by the FSD into other sectors such as Mine Risk Education and Victim Assistance. Implementing projects under the mandate of the European Commission and promoting mine action in the French-speaking part of the world are also among its aims.[6]
See also
- Ottawa Treaty (Mine Ban Treaty)
- Mine clearance agencies
- Demining