Phnom Penh, Sep 29 (AP) The United States is set to provide USD 675,000 for essential demining initiatives in Cambodia. This update follows concerns sparked by a recent suspension of foreign aid, which posed questions about the future of mine clearance efforts in this Southeast Asian nation.
An estimated 4 to 6 million land mines and unexploded munitions have long plagued Cambodia’s countryside, a remnant of conflicts spanning from 1970 to 1998. Despite Cambodia’s renowned demining capabilities, nearly 20,000 lives have been lost, and around 45,000 individuals have been injured due to these war legacies.
The US has invested over USD 220 million in Cambodian demining initiatives since 1993, forming partnerships with entities like the Norwegian People's Aid and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, according to the US Embassy.
Heng Ratana, the director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre, explained that although US President Donald Trump announced an aid freeze in February, the US later issued a waiver, allowing USD 6.36 million of scheduled aid to proceed until November 2025.
This new funding is earmarked for operations from November through April 2026. Ratana expressed optimism that both the recent congressional visit and the signing of the funding agreement reflect Washington’s ongoing commitment to supporting demining in the region.
Recognized for their expertise, Cambodian deminers have been deployed over the past decade to assist in demining efforts in Africa and the Middle East under UN directives.
However, tensions have surfaced with Thailand, which has accused Cambodia of laying new antipersonnel mines along their shared border amid a territorial dispute, leading to five days of armed conflict in late July. Cambodia has refuted these allegations.
Meanwhile, China, a strategic ally of Cambodia and a significant player in Southeast Asia, has also promoted its contributions to Cambodia’s demining endeavors. (AP) SKS SKS SKS
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