22/12/2023 Cambogia (Cambodia)–Banteay Meanchey
“If you ever come across anything suspicious like this item, please do not pick it up, contact your local law and/or enforcement agency for assistance”.
Reporter : Ry Sochan
Khorn Toeur is the head of a family which has benefitted from Cambodia’s ongoing demining efforts in his home province of Banteay Meanchey. As the village chief of Khvav Lech village, in Svay Chek commune and district – close to the Thai border, once one of the most heavily mined pieces of land on the planet – he is very familiar with the threat presented by the unseen killers such as mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). Since receiving 5ha of land which was cleared of mines in 2021, Toeur and his family have been able to make a good living by farming the land. As of December, the government has declared the capital and 13 provinces mine-free, as it moves steadily towards its Mine-Free Cambodia 2025 goal. Toeur tells The Post that the income the villagers can generate by farming the now-safe land has helped to alleviate poverty and reduced the amount of people who were migrating away from the area to look for work. The village chief, who has five family members, explains that he and his family now grow rice and potatoes. The additional income has made their lives far easier. In the past, we were afraid of landmines. Once they were cleared, we received this land and have been able to improve our family’s livelihood. We are extremely thankful to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre [CMAC] team, as well as the relevant ministries and institutions,” he said. He believes that the government’s gifting of the land is an example of the care it shows to the people of the country.
Photo-Source: phnompenhpost.com
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