PHNOM PENH– Cambodia reported 26 landmine and explosive remnant of war (ERW) casualties, in the first half of 2021, down 32 percent compared with 38 over the same period last year, said a report released yesterday.
During the Jan-Jun period this year, eight people were killed and 18 others were either injured or limbs amputated, said the report, issued by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authorities (CMAA). They included 23 men, one woman, and two children, the report added.
Regional and internal conflicts from the 1960s to late 1998, left Cambodia as one of the most mine and ERW affected countries in the world. An estimated four to six million landmines and other munitions were left over, from almost three decades of conflicts.
According to the report, from 1979 to Jun, 2021, landmine and ERW explosions claimed 19,805 lives and either injured or amputated 45,141 others.
As of Jun this year, the country cleared 2,221 square km of contaminated land, destroying some 1.1 million landmines, 25,603 anti-tank mines and 2.9 million ERWs, the CMAA said, adding that, more than 3.3 million households, totaling 7.19 million people have benefited from the cleared land.
CMAA’s First Vice President, Ly Thuch said, the kingdom is committed to clearing all types of landmines and ERWs by 2025, and to achieve this, the country needs a total budget of 377 million U.S. dollars.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK