Achievements of the China-Aided Cambodia Landmine Elimination Project
And Groundbreaking of the New Project (Phase III)
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) is pleased and honored to announce that the China-Aided Cambodia Landmines Elimination Project(CCL-I-II) for the phase I and phase II with the total amount of 10,000,000 USD, funded by the People’s Republic of China, has been successfully completed with great achievements.
The Government of the People’s Republic of China has provided grants to the Royal Government of Cambodia through the provision of CMAC since 2018 to support humanitarian demining operations in Cambodia, focusing on a number of key activities, such as: 1) landmine and UXOs clearance; 2) Clusters and EWR Survey; 3) Strengthening the capacity of the Technical Institute of Mine Action and Dog Centre; and 4) strengthening the sub-national capacity for mine risk education and victim assistance.
The Government of the People’s Republic of China Grant Program is divided into three major phases: The first phase from 2018 to 2019 has a total budget of 2,500,000 US dollars and plans to clear a total area of 15,823,000 square meters in 6 provinces, including Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng, Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng provinces. As a result, the project cleared and released a total area of 17,060,634 square meters, equivalent to 107.82%, of landmines/UXO contaminated areas, found and destroyed a total of 8,779 landmines and UXOs, 18 anti-tank mines, 6 improvised-mines, 23 aerial bombs, 1,643 cluster munitions, 5,280 unexploded ordnance and provided mine risk education messages to 89,840 recipients.
The second phase (CCL-II) from 2020 to 2022 is set to clear a total area of 47,469,000 square meters in 7 provinces, including Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Stung Treng. Kampong Chhnang and Kratie provinces. As a result, the project cleared and released a 57,862,150 square meters, equivalent to 121.89% of landmines/UXO contaminated areas, found and destroyed a total of 62,779 landmines and unexploded ordnance, including 10,207 anti-personnel mines, 306 anti-tank mines, 16 improvised-mines, 67 aerial bombs, 2,749 cluster munitions, 49,434 UXOs and provided mine risk education messages to 609,395 recipients.
Overall, for the total achievements of the 2 Projects (CCL-I and II) from 2018 to 2022, under the grant from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, CMAC achieved a total clearance of 74,922,784 square meters, including 2,916,419 square meters of agricultural land and a total of 54,564,739 square meters of land for the construction of schools, hospitals, pagodas, bridges, roads, etc. Furthermore, the project has contributed to the development of the community, providing safety and improving the lives of a total of 214,661 beneficiaries, equivalent to 674,618 people.
For the third phase (CCL-III), in March 2023, CMAC plans to apply for additional grants from the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the next three years, from 2023 to 2025, with a total budget of US $ 13,200,000 in support of the China-Aided Cambodia Landmine Elimination Projection 2023-2025. The project focuses on land release, with plans to clear a total area of 101,538,462 square meters of landmines/UXO contaminated areas in three provinces, including Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and Preah Vihear. For the first year 2023, the project, with approved amount of US $ 4,400,00, plans to clear a total area of 33,846,154 square meters in the three provinces.
CMAC wishes to profoundly thank the Government and People of China for their continued commitment and strong support to mine action. Both financial and in-kind contributions have extensively enabled CMAC with stronger and more effective operations to fight against hidden killers and, to respond to the needs of millions of people affected by landmines and ERW, as well as to support socio-economic development of Cambodia.
Phnom Penh, 07 March 2023
