PHNOM PENH: Land which has been cleared of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) has been formally returned to the residents of Kaoh Pao village, in Koh Kong province’s Pak Khlang commune. The clearance efforts were supported by an Indian government Quick Impact Project (QIP).
The October 1 handover ceremony in the coastal province, near the Thai border, saw approximately 197,810 square metres presented to the villagers. It is expected to benefit around 134 families.
“The return of this land to the community will provide safe access for livelihoods, farming, housing and other socio-economic activities,” said a statement from the Indian embassy.
It noted that India has a longstanding commitment to working with Cambodia in humanitarian mine-action efforts. Since the early 1990s, India has provided technical assistance, capacity building and training, provision of demining equipment andmine detection dogs, support for mine victims and grant assistance.
It added that Indian cooperation in this area has further deepened under the Mekong–Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Quick Impact Projects framework. India has approved a total of 75 QIPs in Cambodia, with 55 completed to date, and 20 ongoing.
They cover several priority areas, including education, health, sanitation, agriculture, women’s empowerment and humanitarian mine action, in line with the development priorities of the Royal Government of Cambodia.
“The handover of the land in Koah Pao village marks an important milestone in these efforts, returning nearly 200,000 square metres of land to the people of Cambodia for livelihoods, housing and future development,” said the embassy. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
