28/02/2023 Cambogia
“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law e enforcement agency for assistance”.
On the occasion of the 24th anniversary of National Mine Awareness Day, Prime Minister Hun Sen, urged relevant institutions to disseminate information on the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnances in affected communities to ensure the safety of the people. The dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) need to be disseminated among students, children and youth in vulnerable communities, as well as the implementation of Law on the Control of Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition, he added. He urged the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) to continue coordinating with national and international operators and stakeholders to identify areas or locations affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war to educate and prevent accidents, as well as create more effective educational messages to increase awareness in the affected communities. He requested donor countries and development partners to continue to support the clearance of landmines, cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war and assist people disabled by landmines or UXOs. He called on the CMAA, relevant ministries, institutions, donor countries and development partners to continue to explore effective ways to mobilise resources, especially to promote the participation of the private sector to achieve the vision of a mine-free Cambodia by 2025. He urged compatriots not to touch, burn and throw mines and unexploded ordnance because it can cause accidents, disability and loss of life. “Instead, they must report to the competent authorities when encountering mines or unexploded ordnances,” he said. “The sale, storage and processing of landmines and unexploded ordnances, as well as use of land and entering areas suspected to have unexploded ordnances is prohibited. Also, seek support from local authorities if entering these areas. “The war left behind a large number of landmines and unexploded ordnances, which left tens of thousands injured, maimed or killed, as well as causing unprecedented tragedy and hindered the development of the country,” he said. Since 1992, 2,554 square kilometres of land was cleared for community use and cultivation, of which 71% for agriculture, 7% for infrastructure and 22% for housing, villages, schools and health centres for 10,031,664 people, he stated. Mr Hun Sen said 1,153,217 anti-personnel mines, 26,135 anti-tank mines and 3,034,727 unexploded ordnances have been located and destroyed. Last year, 250 square kilometres of land were cleared of 36,609 anti-personnel mines, 183 anti-tank mines and 55,803 unexploded ordnances and the number of victims has dropped from 4,320 in 1996 to 41. “Despite the huge impact of the mine action sector, Cambodia still needs to clear 648 square kilometres of mines, along with an additional 1,327 square kilometres of unexploded ordnances in accordance with National Strategic Plan for Mine Action and Mine-free Cambodia 2025. And the threat posed by explosive remnants of war has been minimised and there is safe socio-economic and human resource development,” he said. In 2022, Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of CMAA, said that six locations were declared mine-free. “For 2023, Cambodia plans to declare 12 more demined provinces and after 2023 seven more in Koh Kong, Pursat, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear. On behalf of the CMAA, he called on the relevant ministries and institutions to conduct a comprehensive awareness campaign to ensure the safety of people in mine-infected areas.
Photo-Source: khmertimeskh.com
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