Cambodia’s landmine clearance for over 30 years has made over 2,790 square kilometres safe for residences and farming, especially by the underserved, yet more work and investment are needed to make the country mine-free by 2025.
The work impact was shared by Senior Minister and President of the National Committee for Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) H.E. Ly Thuch, in a press conference on July 18.
According to the senior minister, more than 1.17 million anti-personnel mines, 26,222 anti-tank mines, and 3,070,526 unexploded ordnance have been found and destroyed.
Thirty-one (31) demining officials have lost their lives to the mission, and 124 others were injured.
The demining activities from 1992 to June 2023 were supported by Australia, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, China, Ireland, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Hungary, India, Canada, the United Nations, the European Union, Spain, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, France, Holland, Denmark, as well as civil society organisations, the private sector, and philanthropists.
For 2023, Cambodia expects to declare mine free status for six provinces, including Kampong Speu, Kratie, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Mondulkiri and Rattanakiri.
H.E. Ly Thuch underscored that Cambodia’s demining plan for 2024–2025, covering a land surface of 358 square kilometres, needs US$78 million.
