MAG has signed a new funding agreement with the Government of Norway’s Agency for development cooperation (Norad) under its ‘Humanitarian mine action and protection against explosive weapons: global’ programme.
This grant will fund the clearance of land contaminated by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive ordnance, while also providing vital risk-education across some of the world’s most affected countries.
The agreement will support MAG's mine action work through to 2029 across two complementary grants. The first, funded by the Department for Humanitarian Assistance and Comprehensive Response, will provide 190 million NOK (approximately 20 million USD) for a multi-country programme spanning Ethiopia, Laos, Lebanon, Myanmar, Senegal, Sri Lanka, and Syria.
The second, funded by the Department for the Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine, will provide 140 million NOK (approximately 15 million USD) to support MAG's mine action operations in Ukraine.
Speaking on these new grants, Darren Cormack, MAG CEO, said: "This support from the Government of Norway comes at a critical moment and will enable MAG and our partners to deliver sustained, locally led action in some of the world's most affected countries. From Lebanon to Ukraine, we are witnessing the devastating impacts of landmines and explosive ordnance on civilians. But beyond the immediate consequences, we are also seeing first-hand the danger they pose for years to come.
"We are deeply grateful for Norway’s continued commitment to humanitarian mine action, and for standing with us in this work to make land safe once more for communities."
Gunn Jorid Roset, Norad Director, added: “Clearing mines and explosive remnants of war is essential to ensure that people can move safely, produce food and rebuild their lives. Through MAG, a highly capable partner, Norway supports life-saving mine clearance and risk education in some of the most heavily affected communities.”
Across the multi-country programme, MAG will work with national partners and authorities to release land contaminated by landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive ordnance, deliver explosive ordnance risk education, support victim assistance efforts, and strengthen links between mine action, humanitarian response, development and peacebuilding. The programme will also reinforce the capacity of national mine action authorities and organisations, to support long-term, locally led responses.
In Ukraine, MAG will implement this new grant in collaboration with the Ukrainian Deminers Association, among other national partners and authorities, responding to one of the most severe cases of landmine and explosive ordnance contamination in modern conflicts. Work will focus on land release in heavily contaminated oblasts, alongside risk education, capacity development, and integrated support that connects mine action with broader recovery and stabilisation efforts. The programme will prioritise localisation and strengthen national ownership, while supporting Ukraine’s National Mine Action Strategy.
The agreement aligns closely with Norway’s Humanitarian Strategy 2024-2029, particularly its commitments to protection and humanitarian disarmament. MAG will continue working with partners to ensure contaminated land is safely released and returned to productive use, supporting communities to rebuild their lives.
