Siem Reap province

The government appealed yesterday for greater international financial support for demining efforts, as it aims to ensure there is “zero impact” from mines and explosive remnants of war by 2019.

Prak Sokhonn, senior minister and vice president of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority, said Cambodia would not be able to bear the financial burden required for that goal alone.

“All of our gains on the Millennium Development Goals will not last if they continue to be crippled by the threat and danger of landmines and explosive remnants of war,” Prak Sokhonn said.

In its MDG report released last month, the government estimated that clearing remaining mines would require US$454 million. More than 900,000 landmines were removed between 1992 and 2011, but an estimated 650 million square metres remain contaminated, Prak Sokhonn said.

Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom have committed $22 million to support demining in Cambodia over the next five years, said United Nations resident coordinator Douglas Broderick.