KhmerTimes-Feb 10, 2025
Although the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has impacted demining activities in Cambodia, mine clearance operations continue with financial support from the government and partners. Senior Minister Ly Thuch hoped the funds from USAID will resume.
According to the press release on the impact of US government aid on mine action in Cambodia by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), states recently, following the US government’s announcement last month to suspend all global aid for 90 days to reassess its effectiveness, some people have raised concerns about the impact of this suspension on mine action activities in Cambodia. “On average, US funding accounts for approximately 30% of the total annual budget supporting mine action in Cambodia. A significant portion of this funding is allocated for the clearance of cluster munitions, while another portion is designated for mine clearance and related activities,” said Senior Minister Ly Thuch. “The temporary suspension of US assistance has affected 93 demining teams, impacting over 1,000 personnel, whose work has been put on hold. This has also affected the expected outcomes for 2025,” Thuch said. “We strongly hope that the US, which has supported Cambodia’s mine clearance sector for several decades, will resume its assistance after this 90-day policy review. Despite Cambodia’s history of war and destruction, as well as the severe threats posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war – which have caused the deaths, injuries, and disabilities of thousands – the country remains engaged in global peacekeeping and humanitarian demining efforts as a member of the United Nations. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501636642/hit-by-us-aid-crunch-demining-struggles-to-continue/#google_vignette
