The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and the International Mine Clearance and Community Development Supporters (IMCCD) on August 11 inked an agreement to clear 30,000sq m of mine fields, with funding of $43,714.

CMAC said on August 11 that the agreement was signed by CMAC Director General Heng Ratana and IMCCD’s Resident Representative, and the budget will be provided by the Japanese non-profit. The project spans from August 16 to August 15 next year.

According to CMAC, it will focus on the clearance of anti-personnel mines, but is expected to remove all kinds of unexploded ordnance, including heavy anti-tank mines.

“Thanks to the IMCCD project, people will be able to safely use agricultural land to build houses, schools and hospitals, and develop their community infrastructure. This will make a huge contribution to society overall,” it said.

Ratana also met with a working group from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by JICA representative Yuji Shinohara on August 12.

JICA was briefed on the results of its cooperation with CMAC and the upcoming meeting with JICA officials from Tokyo and Okinawa on grant aid for building construction at the Technical Institute for Mine Action and at Peace Museum of Mine Action (PMMA), as well as a Joint Coordinating Committee meeting, which is scheduled to be held next week.