PHNOM PENH: The United States has earmarked US$4 million in aid to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) for the clearance of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), while pledging to help Cambodian war refugees affected by UXO return to their homes.
In a Friday (Feb 6) social media post, the US Embassy said: “The United States is implementing its commitments under the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement to help Cambodians affected by unexploded ordnance (UXO) return to their homes and restart their lives.”
“Today, the US provided US$4 million to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) through our implementing partner, Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), to expand life-saving mine and UXO clearance efforts across Cambodia,” it added.
The statement explained that the grant will expand operations from eastern Cambodia to border areas, such as Oddar Meanchey province, to make land safe for families, farmers and communities.
The funding will increase the number of US-supported CMAC demining teams from 20 to 33, comprising 10 new demining teams and 3 EOD rapid response teams.
According to the embassy, over the past 30 years, the US has provided $223 million in funding, cleared mines and UXO from over 50 million square metres of land, and educated more than 40,000 Cambodians about the risks of explosives.
It was unclear whether the $4 million is part of a $10 million aid package the US announced in January for demining efforts, which was part of US engagement to resolve the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
