Landmines still a threat across 1,700 sq km, one million at risk, says PM

by Som Sotheary
October 22, 2024

CMAC deminer inspects unexploded ordnance in Koki village, O’Da commune, Kamrieng district, Battambang province. Chor Sokunthea photo

A total of 1,700 square kilometers in the Kingdom remain at risk from landmines, putting one million people in danger, said Prime Minister Hun Manet. The Premier said this on Saturday at a scarf-wearing ceremony for 4,740 Cambodian Red Cross youths from 25 higher education institutions in Phnom Penh.

“I heard that our soldiers have stepped on landmines, resulting in lost limbs. In Preah Vihear province, mine explosions from a tractor during ploughing have also led to fatalities,” Mr Hun Manet said. “War does not only kill people in battle; it continues to claim lives in Cambodia through landmines, with many Cambodians still suffering the consequences,” he added.

“We have been demining since 1992 for over 30 years, clearing more than 3,000 square kilometers of land contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance. “Currently, we have 1,700 square kilometres remaining to be demined. Around one million people live in mine-affected areas,” he added.

Cambodia is one of the world’s worst-affected countries by landmines, unexploded ordnances (UXO), cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). An estimated four to six million landmines and other munitions were left over after three decades of war and civil conflict that ended in 1998.

According to the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), during the 32-year period from 1992 to June 2024, 3,024 square kilometres were cleared for cultivation, housing, and infrastructure, and millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance were found and destroyed.

Accident rates have reduced from more than 4,000 in 1996 to less than 100 in the last 10 years.

Heng Ratana, director-general of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), said Sunday that the figures confirmed by the Prime Minister highlighted the need for continued demining in Cambodia.

“We fully support the Prime Minister’s speech, and this figure underscores the need for our demining to continue because we cannot clear all mines in 2025 due to the large number of minefields.

The geography is more complex, but we strive to follow the plans and priorities set,” he said.

“We are working on our plan to clear mines in priority areas, which are for the safety of the people. Also clearing minefields that we have prioritised. This year we are trying to clear about 280 square kilometres for the CMAC unit,” he added.

He stated that CMAC is currently researching areas that have not yet been accessed, with the main goal of identifying locations with landmines and unexploded ordnance. The focus will be particularly on bombs dropped from warplanes and cluster munitions to enhance education and outreach efforts.

“We appeal to people living in the landmine and unexploded ordnance areas. Please increase caution, especially in the areas that are not yet known to have landmines and unexploded ordnance.

When you see something suspected of being a landmine or unexploded ordnance, you must immediately report it to the authorities to help clear it,” Ratana said.

Along with Phnom Penh, the provinces of Kratie, Stung Treng, Kep, Prey Veng, Preah Sihanouk, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Svay Rieng, Mondulkiri, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, and Kampong Speu have been declared mine-free.

Cambodia is one of the countries worst affected by landmines, cluster munitions, and ERW. Based on research from Yale University, between 1965 and 1973, the US dropped some 230,516 bombs on 113,716 sites in Cambodia.