The Indian government will provide the Kingdom with over $420,000 for demining work through its embassy, while the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has designated priority areas for some districts of Koh Kong province in its mission to clear Cambodia of landmines by 2025.
The CMAA said on November 15 that following Indian Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s meeting with Prime Minister Hun Sen, it was announced that the Indian government would increase its participation in Cambodia’s efforts to clear landmines and make Cambodia mine-free by 2025.
“The embassy – in cooperation with [CMAA] – designated priority areas in Koh Kong province such as Sre Ambel, Thma Bang and Botum Sakor districts and Trapaing Roung commune in Koh Kong district. The costs of demining the districts and commune were estimated to be over $426,000,” said CMAA first vice-president Ly Thuch.
Indian ambassador to Cambodia Devyani Khobragade said she would pay close attention to the progress of the demining work and appeal to her government for more support to see it carried out, according to the CMAA.
The embassy said the demining aid was provided to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Thuch attended a ceremony to announce the clearance of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), held on November 15 by the army in Kampong Speu province’s Phnom Sruoch district as part of the Samdach Techo Project for Mine Action.
The ceremony was also attended by Hun Manet, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) and commander of the Royal Cambodia Army.
“[Manet] spoke highly of the CMAA leadership and staff who manage demining action and rescue people with disabilities due to landmines and encouraged them to deepen their efforts at cooperation and coordination for these tasks,” Thuch said.
