What is "humanitarian mine action"?

According to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), "Mine Action" comprises Mine Risk Education, Stockpile Destruction, Victims Assistance, Advocacy and Mine Clearance.

What is the role of FSD in humanitarian mine action?

As a primary task, FSD focuses on all mine clearance activities: Identifying dangerous areas through surveys, mapping and marking of dangerous areas, and clearing dangerous areas of landmines and UXO. In addition, FSD assists with the destruction of stockpiles of landmines and conducts mine and UXO safety training for international humanitarian organisation personnel.

Is FSD the only Swiss organisation that clears mines and unexploded ordnance?

There are several Swiss organisations active in mine action. While FSD focuses on field operations with its own mine clearance experts, other organisations are fighting against landmines by establishing standards and engaging in communications and awareness campaigns, fundraising and advocacy.

Does FSD intervene publicly to ban cluster bombs or landmines?

FSD is, first and foremost, an operational, non-political organisation. Our aim is to clear mines, not to become involved in politics. This being said, FSD is a neutral and independent NGO that does not conceal its views.

I have recently received a letter from a Swiss mine action organisation requesting financial assistance. Are these funds used to finance FSD operations abroad?

Probably not. To date, FSD has not engaged in any public fundraising campaigns. Other Swiss mine action organisations, however, run their own campaigns, including mailings, that target the Swiss public in order to raise funds.

Should I donate money to FSD?

Yes, absolutely. According to ZEWO, a Swiss specialist audit body for charitable organisations that collect funds, FSD "merits trust". This is why FSD has been awarded the prestigious ZEWO label. Please visit on this website the chapter “Support us” to find out how to become a donor of FSD.

How much of the money donated to FSD is spent directly on field operations?

90 % of the money raised for projects is earmarked for field operations. On average, FSD uses 10% for overhead to finance the support activities from its Geneva-based headquarters and the yearly audit of all accounts.

What are FSD’s roles as compared to those of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)?

The GICHD supports Humanitarian Mine Action through operational assistance, research, and support to the implementation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. However, the GICHD does not clear mines.

FSD is an operational organisation. Its primary goal is to conduct field clearance operations as it aims to directly reduce the risk of death and injury to local populations and to humanitarian and development organisation personnel. FSD currently works with 80 international experts and 650 trained national staff members on the field and is supported by a management team of 10 staff members at the Geneva headquarters.

The two organisations complement each other and exchange information on a regular basis.

Is FSD mainly financed by the Swiss government?

Switzerland makes regular contributions through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. FSD also benefits from in-kind support from the Swiss army. All contributions received from Swiss government organisations amount to roughly 5 % of the total budget. Other important donors include such countries as Japan, Canada, Australia, USA, and Taiwan. FSD, however, also raises funds from Swiss cantons, cities, private sources, and foundations such as the Karl Popper Foundation, the Fonds Mécénat SIG, the Accentus Foundation, the Greendale Foundation, and others.
A large share of FSD's financial resources pertains to services provided under specific agreements with such international organisations as WFP, UNDP, UNOPS and OSCE or to governments or to private sector companies operating in hazardous areas.

What is the relationship between FSD and the Swiss Army?

FSD is fully independent from the Swiss Army. However, our experts help to train members of the Fortification Guard to supervise in humanitarian mine clearance activities. The Federal Department for Foreign Affairs regularly provides qualified staff members as well as specialised mine clearance equipment as an in-kind contribution.

How does FSD support the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)?

We maintain a very close relationship with the ICRC: The ICRC offers mine risk education, often through the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and provides medical and rehabilitation assistance to landmine victims. The ICRC has frequently requested our assistance, as has been the case in Afghanistan, Albania, Kosovo, Tajikistan, and Senegal.

How can I become a mine clearance expert and work for FSD?

FSD currently employs 80 international experts as supervisors, operations officers, and programme managers. All these experts amassed many years of professional experience in mine action before joining FSD. In addition, most of them have a military background.

These international experts instruct the mine clearance experts (also called "operators"). Mine clearance experts are always hired and trained locally in countries affected by mines or UXO.

You may become a supervisor employed by FSD Geneva if you have an extensive background in humanitarian mine action. To become a mine clearance expert, you will have to apply directly to our country office and to comply with national standards and requirements.