REPUBLIC OF CROATIAMINE ACTIONREVISED WORK PLAN
for meeting the
Article 5 obligations of theConvention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling,
Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on
their Destruction

2024 – 2026

April, 2024

CONTENTSINTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1
Base Values of the 2. Request for an extension ......................................................... 2
Comparison between planned and achieved targets .................................................. 3
Resources employed in implementation and future needs ......................................... 6
Other achievements in the period since the approval of the 2nd request ................... 7
Other achievements in the period since the since the last updated work plan was
submitted (2022) ......................................................................................................... 8
REMAINING CHALLENGES .................................................................................... 12Land release plan in the 2024-2026 period .............................................................. 14
CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 15

1

Hazardous Areas, 2024

INTRODUCTION
This document focuses on presenting the main updates of the Croatian Mine Action Programme
efforts since the 2nd request of the Republic of Croatia for extension of the deadline regarding the
Article 5.1 obligations of the Convention on Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production andTransfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (hereinafter: the Convention) and is being
submitted on the basis of the Decision by the States Parties to approve the 2nd request of the
Republic of Croatia for extension of the deadline for completing the stated obligations by 1st March
2026.
These updates should be considered as milestones for the comparison with the 2nd request of the
Republic of Croatia for extension of the deadline regarding the Article 5.1 obligations, previous work
plans in the 2020-2024 period and have been developed by the Civil Protection Directorate (CPD) of
the Ministry of the Interior (MoI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense (MoD), harmonized withthe main strategic document, the National Mine Action Program of the Republic of Croatia for theperiod until 2026, adopted officially by the Croatian Parliament in February, 2023.
In accordance with the paragraph (iii) of the Decision on the request, this Plan contains an updated,detailed list of all known and suspected areas contaminated with mines (Anti-personnel mines), in
accordance with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) terminology, with annual projectionsof the land release of the established hazardous areas (hereinafter: HAs) during the remaining period
covered by the request along with a revised financial forecast. The plan also contains a two year
review of the other activities of the Croatian Mine Action System highlighting the key aspects of Victim
Assistance, Risk Education and International Cooperation and Assistance.
In the period since the adoption of the Decision of the States Parties, the Republic of Croatia had
submitted annual reports in accordance with Article 7 of the Convention (for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021,
2022 and 2023) where all of the relevant Mine Action updates have been presented on an annual
basis and in more detailed view, while this document should be regarded as an executive summary
for the Mine Action community and respectable ISU, containing key elements and main changes in
the previous and remaining timeframe.

1

BASE VALUES OF THE 2. REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION
Table 1. Hazardous Areas in the Republic of Croatia on January 1, 2019
No. oftowns/Municipalitie
s with HA

CHA (km2)

SHA (km2)

Total HA areas (km2)

8
9
12
2
3
10
7
8

15
94,5
18,1
18,6
36,2
15,9
12,1
11

31,4
32,1
19,5
0,5
28,3
3,3
5,7
13,1

46,4
126,6
37,6
19,1
64,5
19,2
17,8
24,1

Total (responsibility of the
CPD / MoI/CROMAC)

59

221,4

133,9

355,3

Total MoD responsibility

/

32
253,4

/
213,4

32
387,3

CountyKarlovačka
Ličko-senjska
Osječko-baranjska
Požeško-slavonska
Splitsko-dalmatinska
Sisačko-moslavačkaŠibensko-kninska
Zadarska

TOTAL CROATIAAs displayed in the above table, the challenge in the period of the 2nd Request for an extension , included 59
Towns or Municipalities with Hazardous areas, out of which 57 Towns or Municipalities with confirmed
contamination with landmines. Total hazardous area in the Republic of Croatia at noted time amounted to 355,3
square kilometers (under civilian jurisdiction and under the responsibility of the Civil Protection Directorate of
the Ministry of the Interior), while additional 32 square kilometers were declared as hazardous under thejurisdiction and responsibility of the Ministry of Defense. Overall, 2nd Request for an extension and corresponding
efforts of the Republic of Croatia regarding the Article 5 obligations of the Convention have had a main target toremove danger from 387,3 square kilometers until the approved deadline set as March, 2026, with a reasonable
intention to finalize all operational activities until the end of 2025.
MAIN TASKS

Complete all clearance activities and survey tasks by December 31,
2025 (administratively by March 1, 2026) and therefore fulfill theobligations from Article 5 in accordance with the goals of the member
states and in line with the Maputo Declaration +15
The decision on the extension requested that the Republic of Croatia
submits to the member states updated work plans every two years (ieby April 30, 2020, April 30, 2022, and April 30, 2024) for the remaining
period covered by the Extension.
Transparently report on all other elements that were the subject of theDecision on granting the extension on an annual basis in accordance with
Article 7 of the Convention.

2

COMPARISON BETWEEN PLANNED AND ACHIEVED TARGETS
Table 2. Achieved vs. planned in the 2nd Request for an extension
2nd Extension - planned land release(m2)

54.400.000

53.700.000

55.500.000

57.200.000

58.600.000

2019
38.859.668
3.335.994
3.894.443
7.230.437
223.165
45.866.940

2020
49.243.950
7.220.901
4.169.222
11.390.123
310.931
60.323.146

2021
34.107.289
6.758.410
4.973.645
11.732.055
770.12145.054.302

2022
40.181.314
9.355.718
5.681.726
15.037.444
482.89754.701.348

2023
41.506.960
10.864.629
5.606.360
16.470.989
426.61957.551.315

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Land release (m2)
MoI / CPD / CROMAC
Clearance
Non-Technical Survey
Technical Survey
Total survey
Inclusion NTS
TOTAL
MoD
Clearance
SurveyTOTALANNUAL
DIFFERENCE (%)

300.1470300.147

280.040135.716415.756375.961
267.803643.764488.200
9.361.948
9.850.148

396.156
165.521561.677

46.167.087

60.738.902

45.698.066

64.551.496

58.112.992

17,83%-11,59%21,45%-11,39%0,84%

Current data displayed in the above Table 2 in the period 2019-2024 indicates a difference in the total
realization compared to the 2nd Request for an extension under Article 5 in the amount of 1.5%. In theobserved period, a total of 275.268.543 m2 was released in comparison with the 279.400.000 m2
planned / defined in the 2nd Request. The abovementioned suggests that the Republic of Croatia is on
track to fulfill the planned release activities.

3

COMPARISON BETWEEN PLANNED AND ACHIEVED TARGETS
Table 3. Landmine and other Explosive ordnances found and destroyed in the period since the 2nd Request

MoI / CPD / CROMAC
AP mines
AT mines
Total landmines
UXO
TOTAL
MoD
AP mines
AT mines
Total landmines
UXO
TOTAL
Total APM
Total ATMTOTAL UXO

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2.415
2.863
5.278
3.006
8.284

4.883
493
5.376
4.047
9.423

1.214
48
1.262
810
2.072

1.098
25
1.123
2.400
3.523

790
19
809
3.328
4.137

12
0
12
929
941

70
0
70
184
254

18
0
18
1.328
1.346

9
1
10
711
721

7
0
7
888
895

2.427
2.863
3.935

4.953
493
4.231

1.232
48
2.138

1.107
26
3.111

797
19
4.216

10.5163.449
16.743

9.225

9.677

3.418

4.244

5.032

31.596

HA in the local or regional self-government
administrative units

COUNTIES

COUNTIES

2019-2023
Municipalities

Municipalities

In total, 38 Municipalities and 5 Counties werereleased from the HA in the observed period

In the 2019-2023
timeframe, there were:10.516 Anti-Personnel
mines,
3.449 Anti Tank mines,
and
16.743 Unexploded
Ordnances
found and destroyed in
the cleared areas

4

COMPARISON BETWEEN PLANNED AND ACHIEVED TARGETS
OTHER COMPLETED ACTIVITIES• Timely submitted updated National Work Plansaligned with IMAS terminology for 2020-2022, 20222024.
• Timely submitted National annual reports inaccordance with Article 7 of the Convention for 2019,2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 aligned with the IMAS
terminology
In February 2023, the Croatian Parliament adopted
theas the main
strategic document that clearly presents the goals
and guidelines of the Mine Action in the period until
the obligations from Article 5 of the Convention are
fulfilled, which is also one of the measurable
indicators in the Decision on the approval of the
2nd extension (17MSP).

Main strategic goals of the National Mine Action Programme until 2026 (OG 21/2023):

Completely remove
the risk of landminesfrom the territory of
the Republic of
Croatia by March 1,2026 (at the latest),
in line with theRepublic of Croatia
obligations under theConvention on theProhibition of theUse, Stockpiling,
Production andTransfer of AntiPersonnel Mines andon their Destruction

Maintain andimprove themarking of theentire Hazardous
Area (HA) with theMine warning signs

Inform andimplement EO
education programsfor the entire
population that lives
and/or works in thenearness of HA
areas or gravitates
towards it
concerning thedangers of mines,
UXOs and other
ERWs.

Continue to provide
care andrehabilitation,
including psychosocial rehabilitationand economic
reintegration to allmine and other
ERW victims

Encourage theexport of Croatianskills, knowledge,
experience andequipment used in
Mine Action
activities.

55

RESOURCES EMPLOYED IN IMPLEMENTATION AND FUTURE NEEDS
Table 4. Financial resources invested in Mine Action in the period since the 2 nd Request

State Budget
EU funds
Donations and Swiss-Cro
Cooperation Programme
Total (per annum)

2019.

2020.

2021.

2022.

2023.

32.502.330,58 €20.324.049,41 €

31.577.554,98 €
23.858.469,04 €33.388.336,74 €14.397.030,61 €34.794.208,50 €15.195.116,12 €39.061.548,85 €15.314.738,43 €

164.586,01 €52.990.966,00 €- €55.436.024,02 €- €47.785.367,34 €

1.140.177,69 €51.129.502,32 €1.136.085,33 €55.512.372,61 €262.854.232,30 €TOTAL 2019-2023

Table 5. Sources of funding in the 2019-2023 period

Donations and Swiss-Cro Coop Prog

0,93%

EU funds
State Budget

33,89%
65,18%In the observed period it is clear that there was a strong national ownership and motivation to continue
with the clearance activities in accordance with the defined deadlines. The majority of funds invested in
Mine Action (65,18%) were the National Budget funds, while the European Funds have continued with thepositive and significant trend in supplementing clearance activities in Croatia with additional 33,9%. The
Donations and Swiss-Croatian Cooperation funds, with a 0,93% of share seem rather limited, butnevertheless have had a significant impact towards Mine Victim support and socio-economic integration.

COMPLETELY DEFINED FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK UNTIL 2026
In the period 2024-2026, approx. EUR 165 million, of which EUR 129.4 million
will be secured from the Competitiveness and Cohesion Program (EUR 80 million
in grants), while the remaining funds will be designated from the State budget

6

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PERIOD SINCE THE APPROVAL OF
THE 2nd REQUEST
In line with the Article 6 of the Convention - International cooperation and assistance

The approval decision (17 MSP) suggested that the Republic of Croatia could benefit from cooperationin the technical challenges of surveying/demining forests and forest land with other States Parties thathave experience and have faced similar challenges.
In response to the aforementioned suggestions, the Republic of Croatia participated in two studies
conducted by the International Center for Humanitarian Demining from Geneva in the observed periodon the subject:•

National Capacities and Residual contamination•

Difficult terrain in Mine Action

7

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PERIOD SINCE THE SINCE THE LASTUPDATED WORK PLAN WAS SUBMITTED (2022)
In line with the Article 6 of the Convention - International cooperation and assistance

Organization of the annual International Symposium"Mine Action„•19th International Symposium (2023) – one of the main topics
was the situation in Ukraine, it gathered more than 200
participants from 35 countries•The 20th International Symposium is to be held from 9-11 April
2024 in Cavtat, Dubrovnik

Donation to Ukraine in partnership with UNDP – EUR 4
million; for capacity building, procurement of demining
machines, engagement of experts•Organization of winter and summer holidays in the Republic of
Croatia for more than 160 children from the war zones of
Ukraine, including EO risk education for them•Appointment of Croatian expert (CROMAC) to the International
Advisory Board of the Center for Humanitarian Demining of
Ukraine and the operational visit of the representatives of the
CPD/CROMAC to Ukraine, Kyiv in August 2023

11-12 October 2023, the first INTERNATIONAL DONORCONFERENCE for humanitarian demining of Ukraine washeld in Zagreb•1st working day - 34 participating countries, almost half a billion
euros pledged for the humanitarian demining of Ukraine, theRepublic of Croatia pledged - 5 million euros•2nd working day – expert panel discussions on the topic of
humanitarian demining, 150 experts from about 30 countries•Donation of educational (EORE) picture book for children of
Ukraine about mine danger•Bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Mine Action
between the Republic of Croatia and the Ukraine was signed

8

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PERIOD SINCE THE SINCE THE LASTUPDATED WORK PLAN WAS SUBMITTED (2022)
In line with the Article 6 of the Convention - International cooperation and assistance
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE RISK EDUCATION
In 2022-2023, all EORE activities were coordinated within the Civil Protection Directorate (CPD) of the
Ministry of Interior, and directly provided or with the support of the National educational center of Civil
protection - which is an organizational sector in the CPD. In the observed period, a total of 377 EO risk
educations were held in 8 Counties and 56 cities and municipalities, invoving 22,087 people,
predominately of preschool and school age, as well as the target population of the local inhabitants ofmunicipalities and cities within the hazardous areas. The trainings were conducted by the officers of the
Civil Protection Directorate in cooperation with officials of the authorized police precincts. In addition, a
specific EORE education was created and conducted for the children from Ukraine which were staying in
Croatia during 2022 as a part of broader, war relief, NGO and National partnership efforts. The number ofactivities related to the EORE were done in cooperation with the relevant Police departments through the"Less arms, less tragedy" public campaign, and city and municipal governments and other NGOs as well.

Aside from mentioned educational ex cathedra
activities, special EORE children theatre plays
was organized as a part of EU funded project““Demining, restoration and protection offorest and forestland in protected and Natura
2000 sites in Danube-Drava regions –NATURAVITA” as one of the largest nature
conservation projects in Croatia, financed by
the European Structural and Investment Funds,
which included 6 children theatre plays
gathering 657 elementary school pupils from
Osijek-Baranja County.

59

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE PERIOD SINCE THE SINCE THE LASTUPDATED WORK PLAN WAS SUBMITTED (2022)
In line with the Article 6 of the Convention - International cooperation and assistance
MINE ACCIDENTS
Table 6. Casualties since the last request was submitted

KilledInjured
Total

Girls
0
0
0

Women

Boys
1
0
1

Men
0
0
0

Total
3
11
14

4
11
15

160
140

137
129

120
100

92

80
60
40

58

23

29 26

20

9

16 13

11 8 8 7 7
7
7
6 3
1 2 3
1 3
0 0 3 1

1996.
1997.
1998.
1999.
2000.
2001.
2002.
2003.
2004.
2005.
2006.
2007.
2008.
2009.
2010.
2011.
2012.
2013.
2014.
2015.
2016.
2017.
2018.
2019.
2020.
2021.
2022.
2023.

0

Table 7. Mine Victims in the 1996-2023 period

From 1996 (end of the Homeland war)till the end of 2023, the Republic of
Croatia had accounted mine incidents
where 610 people were harmed, out of
which 207 with a fatal outcome. These
unfortunate numbers also include
134 injured deminers, out of which 40
with a fatal outcome.

2022. - auxiliary worker activatedlandmine during mechanical clearance
resulting with light injury
2023. – 2 fatal mine incidents with 3
deaths, one involving hunter, andother 2 deminers

101

OTHER
ACHIEVEMENTS
IN THE PERIOD SINCE THE SINCE THE LASTHAZARDOUS
AREAS
UPDATED WORK PLAN WAS SUBMITTED (2022)
In line with the Article 6 of the Convention - International cooperation and assistance
MINE VICTIM SUPPORTUPGRADED SUPPORT AND
ASSISTANCE TO DIRECT AND
INDIRECT MINE VICTIMS

Law on Civilian Victims of the Homeland War(Official Gazette 84/21) - provides better protection of therights of mine victims and their family members

Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme
Demining and Socio-economic integration
•
•
•
•
•

the project includes two components - humanitarian demining and assistance to Mine
Victims and their family members with a total value of 6.12 million CHF, of which the Swiss
donation amounts to 5.2 million CHF
By the middle of 2024, the project will demine a total of 3.36 km2 of CHA areas of SisakMoslavina County
throughout the project, a Mine Victim database was established, coupled with theimplementation of various educational programs and retraining and psychosocial support
workshops in 2022
Additionally, a comprehensive new brochure was created with consolidated information on
the legal rights and possibilities of Mine Victims and their family members
In 2023 financial resources were allocated (Public Call) towards the Mine Victims in theamount of CHF 200,000.00, which financed the start of new and expansion of existing
entrepreneurships for the 15 mine victims and members of their immediate families.
(indirect victims)

11

REMAINING CHALLENGES
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Hazardous areas in the Republic of Croatia on January 1, 2024 remained on 21 Municipalities / 4Counties and amounted to 92.1 km² (78,5 km² CHA, 13,5 km² SHA), excluding the MoD areas of anadditional 18.9 km2 of HA. Approximate number of AP/AT mines emplaced (Estimate according to
number of minefield records in CPD/CROMAC sector database and Annual demining report) on Jan
1, 2024 reached 10.052 mines (9.301 AP mines and 751 AT mines), excluding the areas under the
MoD jurisdiction.
Table 8. Remaining challenges at County/Municipality level and CHA/SHACountyNo of Towns /Municipalities

CHA

SHA

Total HA

Josipdol
PlaškiRakovica
Saborsko

3.400.402
10.264.105
119,573482,4170
76,762
126,61203.400.402
10.340.867
246,185
482,417

BrinjeDonji Lapac
GOSPIĆ
OTOČAC
Perušić
Plitvička Jezera
UdbinaVrhovine

399,877
8.953.687
17.351.201
9.183.223
37,4691.594.125
338,50910.411.396

5,995
4.797.138
4.107.845
1.407.713
00678,716
0405,872
13.750.825
21.459.046
10.590.936
37,4691.594.125
1.017.225
10.411.396

HrvaceVRLIKA

3.706.606
4.247.805003.706.606
4.247.805

Dvor
GLINA
Gvozd
PETRINJA
SISAK
Sunja
Topusko3.616.635
593,4835,762
1.490.077
425,76
1.883.944
38,50678.574.559

1.692.688
15,63902,559
493,011
154,343013.559.021

5.309.323
609,119
35,762
1.492.636
918,771
2.038.287
38,50692.133.580

Karlovačka

Ličko-senjska

Splitskodalmatinska

Sisačkomoslavačka

TOTAL

21

12

REMAINING CHALLENGES
Table 9. Remaining Hazardous situation according to the types of mines-explosive devices emplaced

CountyKarlovačka
Ličko-senjska
Splitsko-dalmatinska
Sisačko-moslavačka
UKUPNO

No of Mine Field
Records

AP mines

AT mines

21
177
10
44

401
3952
0
4948

0
751
0
0

Incomplete
Mine field
Records
6
74
10
14

252

9.301

751

104

Total number of emplaced mines in accordancewith the available data

10.052

No of Mines

Table 10. Comparison of Mine Action System Capacities over the years

Type of Capacity
Deminers
Work site leaders
Auxiliary workers
Certified Equipment
Metal detectors
MDDs
Demining Machines

2018
676
121
101

2024
362
98
52

796
99
45

728
44
55

Table 11. Clearance output in accordance with the current capacities available

Remaining CHA areas = 78,6 km2

Current capacities
are sufficient tocomplete all
clearance
operations by

2026.
13

REMAINING CHALLENGES
Land release plan in the 2024-2026 period
Table 12. Total Land Release of HA by clearance and survey operations until 2026

County

2024

2025

2026

*Karlovačka

11,8

2,6*

0,0

Ličko-senjska

22,0

37,3

0,0

Sisačko-moslavačka

9,3

1,1

0,0

Splitsko-dalmatinska

8,0

0,0

0,0

TOTAL

51,1

38,4

0,0

7,1

11,8

0,0

58,2

50,2

0,0

MoD – clearance and survey

OVERALL* Karlovačka County – in 2024. remaining challenge is 2.6 km2 of UXO contamination

In 2024 Karlovačka andSplitsko-dalmatinska
Counties are expected tobe completely released
from landmines, while in
2025 remaining two
Counties (Sisačkomoslavačka and Ličkosenjska) will be released.

14

CONCLUSION
The updated work plan 2024-2026 document displayed that Republic of Croatia is still firmly on
track to completing the Article 5 obligations in line with the 2nd Request for an extension timeframe.
This has been clearly communicated as a part of the updates to the annual land release outputs,
with a strong indication that the current resources are in line with the established milestones,
especially in the terms of invaluable EU and Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme financial
support.
The Republic of Croatia continues its activities according to all components of Mine Action for the
successful implementation of obligations arising from relevant international agreements, especially
the Mine Ban Convention.
The Republic of Croatia will continue to maintain Mine Action at a high level of interest and will
strive to overcome all the challenges that need to be carried out in the aforementioned area by 2026
through optimal planning, but also after the deadline in terms of residual risk management.
All stakeholders of the Croatian Mine Action System will continue to support and develop
partnership relations with the relevant international stakeholders such as the UN, the International
Committee of the Red Cross, the International Campaign to Ban Mines, the Geneva International
Center for Humanitarian Demining, along with domestic and international representatives of civil /non-governmental sector.
As part of its mine action operations, the Republic of Croatia will primarily invest further efforts andall available human and financial resources in order to make the entire national territory completely
free of anti-personnel mines and other explosive remnants of war within the given deadline, i.e. by
March 1, 2026.
At the same time, active support will be continued in other important areas of Mine Action,
especially assistance to mine victims, EORE and international cooperation, especially in the context
of much needed support towards Ukraine.
The Mine Action System of the Republic of Croatia will also continue to be based on the effective
and efficient use of available resources, including the application of the latest methodologies andverified technological achievements in line with the International Mine Action Standards.

15

MINISTRY OF THE INTERIORCIVIL PROTECTION DIRECTORATEREPUBLIC OF CROATIAREVISEDMINE ACTION WORK PLAN

2024-2026