A critical shortfall in donor funding has again brought the troubled Cambodian

Mine Action Center (CMAC) to the brink of closure, CMAC officials say.

Ian Bullpitt, UNDP's CMAC Program Coordinator, told the Post on Aug 3 that CMAC's

cash reserves are almost completely depleted and that no funds are available to pay

July salaries to the agency's 3,000 employees.

According to Bullpit, the latest financial crisis has been precipitated by the failure

of the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia to deliver on funding pledges made earlier

this year.

"In essence, these three significant donors have given indications of financial

support [for CMAC] but not provided it," Bullpitt told the Post.

However, a spokesperson for the Australian Embassy told the Post that Australia had

already provided CMAC the full sum of pledged funds.