Pursat: Senior Minister H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), declared on Tuesday that mine clearance is fundamentally about "restoring livelihoods and protecting human dignity."
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch, representing Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, presided over the 27th National Mine Awareness Day in Pursat province. The event, held under the theme "Together for the Safety of Displaced Persons and Communities," attracted a wide array of stakeholders, including Pursat Governor H.E. Khoy Rida, foreign diplomats, development partners, and demining operators.
"Mine clearance is not merely a technical task; it is the restoration of life," H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch stated during his keynote address. He emphasized that restoring livelihoods equates to protecting the dignity of the people, and that the mission of mine clearance extends beyond removing explosives to ensuring the full rehabilitation, inclusion, and social participation of landmine survivors.
The Senior Minister highlighted that the Royal Government of Cambodia continues to regard mine action as a critical pillar of national peace, human security, and sustainable development. While significant progress has been made, the day serves as a crucial reminder that the threat of unexploded ordnance (UXO) persists, making public awareness a life-saving necessity.
H.E. Dr. Ly Thuch expressed deep gratitude to international donors and development partners, acknowledging their sustained support in transforming once-lethal landscapes into "lands of opportunity" for Cambodian citizens. On behalf of the Royal Government, he called on the international community and the private sector to continue providing the financial and material resources needed to achieve a mine-free Cambodia. He urged all sectors to remain united in building a society where communities can live without the fear of remnants of war.
The National Mine Awareness Day is observed annually on Feb. 24 to bolster efforts toward the country's ambitious goal of becoming mine-free.