The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has developed an application for a digital reporting system called “CMAC Helps” to make it easier for people to report to CMAC when they see landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

The app will be officially launched on March 1, according to CMAC director-general Heng Ratana.

He said people can just take pictures of landmines and UXO or provide information about areas suspected of contamination to CMAC units via the app.

CMAC experts can then immediately give advice to the person reporting the problem and take action to address their concerns.

He said the app can be downloaded through Google’s Play Store or Apple’s App Store by searching for “CMAC Helps”.

“Technicians will soon provide a more detailed explanation of how to use the application,” he said.

Ratana said CMAC Helps will provide a convenient way for people who face the dangers of landmines and UXO in Cambodia to easily access information on the topic and receive immediate counselling for accident prevention as well as rescue response.

“Through this app, when people see landmines or UXO somewhere, they can take pictures of it from a safe distance and provide information to the CMAC unit where they saw the mines or identify the suspected areas.

“CMAC experts can then immediately advise them or take action to address the problem before tragic accidents occur. This method will be faster and easier for people who encounter mines to report the danger and it will help solve the mine problem,” he said.

Concerning the app development, Ratana noted that CMAC technical team had been researching and consulting with outside experts for almost a year.

He called on everyone who is concerned about mine safety in Cambodia and the media to help spread the word about the app so that people can download it onto their phones and make wide use of it to reduce the threat from mines and munitions in Cambodia.