Landmine Clearance in Cambodia: China-Aided Project Benefits 2.6 Million
Based on recent reports from the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), a China-aided landmine elimination project has successfully cleared over 160 square kilometers of contaminated land in Cambodia, benefiting more than 2.6 million people.
Project Details and Impact:
Long-Term Collaboration: The "China-Aided Cambodia Landmine Elimination Project" is a key part of a long-standing partnership between China and Cambodia on demining, which began in 1999. The current phase, running since 2018, is scheduled to conclude in early 2026.
Significant Clearance: Since 2018, the project has led to the destruction of over 95,700 landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), making vast tracts of land safe.
Humanitarian Goal: Cambodia remains one of the most heavily mined countries globally, with millions of remnants from past conflicts. This poses a significant danger and hinders agricultural and infrastructure development. The cleared land is being repurposed for farming, housing, and the construction of schools and roads.
Future Outlook: The continued Chinese support is crucial for Cambodia's national goal of being entirely free of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) by 2030. A new phase of the project is planned to run from 2026 to 2028, focusing on demining in six additional provinces.
