Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Demining remains priority, says PM

Demining remains priority, says PM

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Landmine education in Battambang province on September 21. CMAA

Demining remains priority, says PM

Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed local authorities, demining operators and citizens to cooperate to safely eliminate the scourge of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).

The premier urged all demining operators to strive to respond quickly and carry out their work collecting and destroying landmines and ERWs effectively and in a timely manner when they receive reports from residents or local authorities, according to Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).

Thuch was on hand for the mine and ERW risks education on September 21 in Sdao commune of Battambang province’s Rattanak Mondul district.

He said that awareness of the risks associated with landmines and ERWs are an important part of preventing and reducing casualties.

"The government considers education and awareness raising on the dangers of landmines as an important movement to prevent and reduce mine casualties,” said Thuch.

The government has also asked people not to risk wandering around in unfamiliar areas for any purpose, such as going into the forest to look for non-timber forest products.

The main precautionary measure, Thuch said, is to absolutely never touch mines, cluster munitions and ERWs.

"[Hun Sen] instructed local authorities to help educate the public about landmines and ERW in a comprehensive and effective manner in and outsides of their community to eventually eliminate the dangers,” he continued.

The premier also instructed them to help to extensively disseminate information about the dangers of landmines and ERW to people through various forums, especially the implementation of “safe village-commune” policy and laws on the control of weapons, explosives and ammunition.

The campaign event was also attended by Soeum Bunrith, deputy governor of Battambang province and other authorities at all levels, including the armed forces and teachers as well as residents and many students.

"[Hun Sen] always cares about the wellbeing of the people in all circumstances and does not want to see anyone continue to be in danger due to landmines and ERW. The cause of this accident is due to the division of internal solidarity between Khmer and Khmer, causing armed conflict and all kinds of suffering to the people,” Thuch stated.

Thuch recalled that 1998 marked the end of decades of war in Cambodia, when comprehensive peace was achieved with Khmer Rouge soldier reintegration through Hun Sen’s win-win policy. He urged all people to continue to remain in solidarity and stay united.

Thuch further stated that the mine action sector is considered an important priority of the government, and that mine risk awareness and education is considered an important element of preventing and reducing landmine casualties.

Between 1992 and August of this year, Rattanak Mondul district has cleared about 96sq km, with 14,807 anti-personnel mines, 699 anti-tank mines and 50,230 ERWs destroyed.

And from January of this year through August, the district had two victims of landmines and ERWs while out in the forest for logging.

In these first eight months of the year, there were 40 casualties from explosives, which represented a 21 per cent increase over the same period last year when there were 33 victims.

Of the 40 victims, 18 were victim to mine and 22 to ERWs, according to the CMAA.

MOST VIEWED

  • Wing Bank opens new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004

    Wing Bank celebrates first anniversary as commercial bank with launch of brand-new branch. One year since officially launching with a commercial banking licence, Wing Bank on March 14 launched a new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004. The launch was presided over by

  • Girl from Stung Meanchey dump now college grad living in Australia

    After finishing her foundational studies at Trinity College and earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2022, Ron Sophy, a girl who once lived at the Stung Meanchey garbage dump and scavenged for things to sell, is now working at a private

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Wat Phnom hornbills attract tourists, locals

    Thanks to the arrival of a friendly flock of great hornbills, Hour Rithy, a former aviculturist – or raiser of birds – in Kratie province turned Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver, has seen a partial return to his former profession. He has become something of a guide

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one