KhmerTimes-Feb 20, 2026
The guns have fallen silent along the Cambodia-Thailand border, but for thousands of returning families, the deadliest threat now lies buried beneath their feet. As displaced residents move back into their villages following the December ceasefire, they are entering communities still heavily contaminated with landmines, cluster munitions, and unexploded ordnance. The presence of these devices has left schools, health centers, and entire villages unsafe for habitation. Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) Director General Heng Ratana said the organization is racing to clear affected zones, although the scale of the crisis remains severe. “We are accelerating this work to the maximum with clearly defined priorities,” Ratana said. “We are clearing 244 villages to facilitate the return of residents. Schools and pagodas are priority areas where we have already carried out significant clearance.” Data from the Ministry of Interior show that of more than 640,000 people displaced by the conflict, nearly 580,000—or 89%—have returned home. However, more than 71,000 people remain in temporary shelters, unable to safely reclaim their land. Ratana said that Preah Vihear contains the largest area of contaminated land, while Oddar Meanchey has the highest number of affected villages. He issued a specific warning regarding cluster munitions used during the recent fighting. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501848606/lethal-legacies-of-war-await-displaced-families-at-home/#google_vignette
