Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen was optimistic that Cambodia will achieve its vision in accordance with the National Strategic Plan for Mine Action 2018-2025 and the goal of mine-free status by 2025.
The optimism was made on the Premier’s official social media networks on Feb. 24 on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the National Mine Awareness Day.
“This year 2023 is the 24th anniversary that Cambodia has organised the National Mine Awareness Day. This year’s theme is ‘We unite for a community safe from landmines and UXOs’," he wrote.
Samdech Techo continued that the war left behind a lot of landmines and UXOs, which caused tens of thousands of people to be injured, maimed and killed, created unprecedented tragedy, and hindered the country development.
At an event to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the National Mine Awareness Day held in Dec. 2 Memorial in Snuol district, Kratie province this morning, H.E. Ly Thuch, Senior Minister and First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) urged for more participation to end the tragedy ad suffering caused by landmines, cluster bombs and UXOs through education on the danger posed by those “hidden killers”.
According to the Prime Minister’s message to his compatriots on the same occasion, since 1992, 2,554 square kilometres of land have been cleared for use and cultivation, benefitting more than 10 million people.
Some 1,153,217 anti-personnel mines, 26,135 anti-tank mines and 3,034,727 UXO have been found and destroyed.
Meanwhile, the number of victims has dropped dramatically from 4,320 in 1996 to 41 in 2022 and below 100 per year on average over the last 10 years.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press