The Dutch government has granted 11.6 million euros to DCA's efforts to create security in four of the world's hotspots. It is the largest donation from an international donor in DCA history
DCA’s can now intensify its efforts to create safety in four countries affected by conflict thanks to a large donation from the Dutch government.
The Dutch Foreign Ministry has put aside 11.6 million euro for DCA's work to create safer communities in South Sudan, Libya, Mali and Lebanon. The donation is the largest DCA has ever received from an international donor.
"We are very happy for our cooperation with the Dutch government overall and with this donation in particular. With this money, we can save many people from dying or being maimed and we can help more victims living with the psychological after-effects of their experiences during," says Birgitte Qvist-Sørensen, General Secretary in DCA.
She sees the grant as a recognition of the work DCA does.
"They choose to give us this money because DCA is a job and working places that very few organizations in the world manage to do," she says.
The money is covering projects divided into three areas:
Clearance: Clearing of landmines, cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance Risk Education: Informing the local population about the dangers of explosive remnants of war and promoting safe behaviour Victims assistance: Psychosocial support for victims of war and conflict An important element is to build capacity locally so authorities in fragile states become able to secure their own people. The grant is covering projects during a four year period, and the long time horizon is particularly important according to Birgitte Qvist-Sørensen.
"It takes a really long time to clean up after armed conflicts, even those that have lasted a very short time. And in countries such as Libya and South Sudan, we see that conflicts can drag on for years. Holland's long-term support enables us to plan a far more effective effort," she says.
