The Government of Japan will provide a total of US$1,302,539 to support landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and cluster munition clearance in Cambodia under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects.
The Grant Contract was signed here on Feb. 5 between Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia H.E. UENO Atsushi, and representative of the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS).
According to a press release of the Japanese Embassy in Phnom Penh, US$654,402 of the total amount will be used for “Promoting Reconstruction Support with Demining in Banteay Meanchey: PRDB”. In this project, JMAS will clear 100 ha of landmines and UXO contaminated areas while transferring efficient and safe clearance mines and UXOs methods to Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC). The project will also disseminate landmine risk avoidance education.
Moreover, farmers will be given opportunities to learn rice cultivation techniques and develop model farms on the mine cleared land.
The rest, US$648,137, will be for ‘Promoting Reconstruction Support with Cluster munitions disposal in Stung Treng: PRCS’. Under this project, JMAS will demine 240 ha of cluster munition contaminated areas while instructing the CMAC on efficient and safe cluster munition clearance methods.
In addition, the project will provide not only landmine risk avoidance education for local residents but also agricultural technology and management for farmers.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in Cambodia in 2002 to support activities by Japanese NGOs to help Cambodia’s reconstruction and development efforts at the grassroots level. Since 2002, the Government of Japan has provided nearly US$60 million for over 160 projects, mainly in the field of primary education, health, agriculture and mine clearance in Cambodia.
