Although US assistance for mine clearance through USAID has been suspended, the Chinese government continues to provide support for the elimination of landmines in Cambodia, with a $4.4 million Chinese-funded project set to begin operations next month.

Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), announced on January 5 that the non-repayable grant will cover a one-year period, beginning next month and ending in February 2026.

The funding will support mine clearance operations in seven provinces, including Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng and Kratie, as well as the work of the Sonkhak Technical Institute, located in Kampong Chhnang.

Through this assistance, over 400 specialists from CMAC will clear more than 3,400 hectares of land affected by landmines and unexploded ordnance UXO, conduct UXO risk surveys, strengthen the Sonkhak centre’s mine detecting dog training capabilities and assist the victims of landmines.

According to Ratana, this is the third and final annual phase of the China-Aided Cambodia Landmine Elimination Projection. It began in 2023 and will end in 2026, with a total budget of $13.2 million.

In October of last year, the US announced over $10 million in mine clearance assistance, but the aid was recently suspended, affecting over 1,000 demining staff.

This assistance is unlikely to resume due to pressure from US President Donald Trump, who, on February 4th, ordered USAID to shutter operations and stand down almost all of its staff. The agency is facing potential closure or major restructuring.