The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) donated mine detectors, personal protective equipment and specialised explosive disposal tools worth over $780,000 to the Army Engineering Command and the Bodyguard Unit.

According to CMAA first vice-president Ly Thuch, who presided over the handover ceremony at the CMAA headquarters on January 2, the donations included over 160 mine detectors, 40 protective suits and 85 specialised additional tools, with a total value of $785,125.

The equipment was split between two units. The Army Engineering Command received 150 mine detectors and the additional equipment, for a total worth of $745,775, while the Bodyguard Unit received 10 mine detectors, worth $39,775.

The donations were accepted Ouch Vantha – deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and Commander of the Army Engineering Corps – and Bodyguard Unit deputy commander Prach Sophal.

“The army does not just defend the Kingdom’s territorial integrity and provide security, but also plays a significant role in humanitarian activities, including mine clearance work. The Army is playing a key role in the Samdach Techo Project for Mine Action [STP-MA] – themed ‘Providing Safe Ground, Creating Smiles’,” said Vantha.

He said he expected the new equipment to make a great contribution to realising the premier’s vision of a mine-free Cambodia by 2025.