Cambodia reported 44 casualties related to landmines and explosive remnants of war in the first four months of 2015, a 38 per cent fall from the same period last year.

In its monthly report for April 2015 posted yesterday, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) noted that six people were killed and 29 were injured (with nine requiring amputations) from January to April. During the same period last year, 10 people died and 43 were injured (with 18 requiring amputations).

At least two more have been killed since the start of May.

Chhiv Lim of the CMAA said that the decrease in casualties could be attributed to greater awareness and education efforts by the Cambodian government.

He added that the government has increased mine education funds, though casualties are expected to rise in the coming months due to people preparing their land for the rainy season. “Before the rain, the number of casualties usually increases,” he said.

The report said that from 1979 to April 2015, landmines and unexploded ordnance had killed 19,711 people. Additionally, 35,833 had been injured, while 8,968 required amputations.