PhnomPenhPost-July 5, 2022
The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistant Authority’s (CMAA) working group and demining operators will check out certain minefields beginning next week to evaluate mine-free progress. CMAA will also draw up a budget plan for landmine clearance in Tbong Khmum, Takeo and Kampot provinces as well as nine towns and districts in preparation of declaring them mine-free. “Cambodia is prepared to announce three provinces and nine towns and districts as mine free in the first stage of the implementation of the Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action (STP-MA), which provides for safe grounds and the creation of smiles,” said CMAA first vice-president Ly Thuch on July 4. The meeting was participated by the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC-ERW) and Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC). It was organised to identify the priority goal, plan and divide demining forces under the first phase of the project. Thuch also confirmed that the meeting agreed to let the army clear the land in eight towns and districts before declaring them mine free. According to CMAA, the capital 22 and provinces continue to be affected by mines, excluding cluster munitions and other ERWs, covering a total area of more than 716 million square meters , or 71,603.9ha.
Read more at: https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/cambodia-reaching-mine-free-status-province-province
