Cambodia accounted for the second-largest number of child casualties resulting from explosive remnants of war last year, according to a report released yesterday by Landmine Monitor, which examines and compares the impact of landmines around the world.

According to the report, landmines killed 80 children in the Kingdom in 2010, representing about one-third of the 286 total people killed by such weapons throughout the year.

Cambodia was second only to Afghanistan in child casualties. The nation’s 286 landmine casualties in 2010 was the fourth highest, behind Afghanistan, Pakistan and Columbia.

Among other findings, the report shows a decrease in international mine action assistance going to Cambodia. In 2010, the Kingdom received US$24.3 million in international aid, down 27 per cent from US$33.3 million in 2009.

Phnom Penh will host next week’s 11th Meeting of the States Parties, a gathering of the 158 states that have signed the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

Also known as the Ottawa Treaty, the convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.