Koh Kong province to be declared landmine free soon

Cambodia Mine Action Authority (CMAA) plans to soon declare villages in Koh Kong province no longer threatened by landmines.

CMAA said yesterday that its secretary-general visited Koh Kong province to inspect the 27 landmine fields located in 10 villages, five communes and  Botum Sakor and Sre Ambel districts between September 21 to September 23.

It said the visit was to the study and determine if all landmines are completely cleared in these sites so as to declare that the villages, communes and districts are no longer threatened by landmines.

According to the National Strategic Plan for Mine Action 2018-2025, Cambodia still has more than 2,000 square kilometres of suspected landmines and explosive remnants of war, which requires Cambodia to be highly committed to completing the clearing of landmines towards “a landmine-free Cambodia by 2025” and continue to address the remaining land issues in subsequent years.

It said that this mission was able to run smoothly and successfully due to the good cooperation of local authorities at all levels paying attention to the issue of mines as an important factor that must be addressed immediately to save lives and restore development in the province.