The Training Centre for Peacekeeping Forces and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC-ERW), based in Kampong Speu province, began a demining exercise in Tbong Khmum province on July 15. CMAC
The Cambodian People’s Party’s (CPP) central committee extraordinary conference announced on July 17 that it supports the Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action which has the slogan “Providing Safe Ground, Creating Smiles” and that the CPP will take part in the project to make Cambodia mine-free by 2025.
Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), said on July 18 that Prime Minister Hun Sen has strong intentions to complete the demining process to ensure the safety of the Cambodian people and the nation’s recovery from the years of war.
“On behalf of the CMAA we are very pleased and thank [Hun Sen] for making demining work part of the CPP’s policy platform. This is a big task undertaken by the demining sector in Cambodia,” he added.
He continued that CPP support and participation would help accelerate the work of declaring Cambodia “mine-free” by 2025 and will also require the help of friendly countries and development partners.
Thuch said that the government has so far solicited more than $17 million from donors whose contributions show their love for the nation. On August 1, the CMAA in cooperation with the Malaysia Business Chamber of Cambodia (MBCC) will hold a charity event to raise funds for the purpose of demining Kampong Speu province.
He said that this event will be co-organised by the MBCC, the Malaysian embassy in Cambodia and Malaysian people working or conducting business in Cambodia.
“They organise this event to solicit funds to assist with demining along with the government. The CMAA and Samdech Techo [Hun Sen] welcome and are pleased with their charity event,” he said, confirming that the proceeds will go towards demining work in Kampong Speu province.
“We congratulate and thank the private sector and the people of Malaysia in our country for joining the Samdech Techo movement by helping demine Kampong Speu province and we will use blue-helmet [UN Peacekeeper] forces for this demining,” he said.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said that the additional support for demining was in the best interests of Cambodia.
“The conference made a good decision. It is in the best interests of Cambodia to make the nation free of landmines and turn minefields into productive land once again for the Cambodian people,” he said.
The Training Centre for Peacekeeping Forces and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC-ERW), based in Kampong Speu province, began a demining exercise in Tbong Khmum province on July 15.
Tbong Khmum is one of the three priority provinces set to be declared mine-free in six months, along with Kampot and Takeo.
