NZ grants $3 million in landmine clearance aid

THE government of New Zealand has provided an additional $3.1 million in financing for the fourth phase of the Clearing for Results project. The funding will allow the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) to conduct demining operations in Banteay Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

The signing ceremony of the new financing was held in Banteay Meanchey province on December 6. It was witnessed by Alissar Chaker, UNDP representative in Cambodia and New Zealand ambassador to Cambodia Jonathan Kings.

Ly Thuch, first vice-president of the CMAA, said on December 7 that New Zealand has provided the funding for the project, being carried out in coordination with the UNDP.

“Through this project, we plan to clear landmines in Banteay Meanchey and Preah Vihear. In 2021, New Zealand also provided $ 3.8 million in financing for the fourth phase of the Clearing for Results project,” he added.

Kings described mine action as very positive for the Cambodian people. He admired the Kingdom for doing the work well, and for promoting gender equality in mine action.

“In order to achieve our common goals, we require close cooperation. Even though Cambodia has accomplished remarkable achievements, there are still a lot of tasks to go to ensure that the Mine-Free Cambodia 2025 goal is achieved,” he added.

UNDP’s Chaker also admired the leadership of the CMAA for promoting gender equality in mine action and for delivering on the UN’s 2030 Agenda’s commitment to leave no one behind.

“Mine action helps to rebuild people’s lives, and the UNDP is committed to continuing to support mine action in Cambodia through the CMAA,” she added.

On behalf of Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thuch thanked the people and government of New Zealand for supporting the Kingdom’s humanitarian mine action.

According to the CMAA, from 1992 to June 2023, Cambodia cleared 2,761sq km of land of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERWs), including cluster bombs. The cleared land has been used for agriculture, infrastructure, housing construction and socio-economic development.

Thuch believes that by year’s end, the total of cleared land will have increased to 2,950sq km.