In a significant development for local communities, nearly 198,000 square meters of land contaminated by landmines in Koh Kong province, Cambodia, has been successfully cleared. This initiative has been supported by India and will benefit around 134 families in the area, as reported by local authorities.
The land, located in Kaoh Pao village, was handed over to the residents during a ceremony attended by Tanu Priya, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh, along with Cambodian officials. The embassy shared this update on social media.
Cambodia has long struggled with the aftermath of decades of conflict, which has left large expanses of land hazardous due to leftover landmines and unexploded ordnance. These remnants pose ongoing risks to communities and limit access to farmland and space for development and housing.
The project to clear 197,810 square meters of this dangerous land is part of India’s Quick Impact Project, which falls under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation initiative. This cooperation involves India and five Southeast Asian nations: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, focusing on areas such as trade, education, and cultural exchange.
The recent handover ceremony also saw the attendance of the Deputy Secretary-General of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, Tep Kallyan, and Koh Kong’s Deputy Governor, Y Nearynet.
With the land now cleared, residents will have safer access for farming, housing, and other crucial socio-economic activities. India has been an essential partner in Cambodia’s demining efforts since the early 1990s, providing technical support, training, and resources to assist the nation in managing its landmine challenges. This includes providing mine detection dogs and funding for humanitarian demining projects.
This initiative marks another step forward in ensuring a safer environment and promoting community development in Cambodia.
