The Federal Government of Germany is providing $3.12 million under the auspices of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) to support demining activities in Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey provinces for the next two years.

Heng Ratana, Director-General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), met with Hans Risser, Director of the NPA, on Tuesday at the Cambodian Mine Action Centre office to announce German government support for CMAC with a total budget of $3.12 million for two years. The funding commenced on Sunday and runs through August, 2026.

Ratana noted on social media that he wants to thank the German people for their assistance to demining efforts in Cambodia.

“I would like to thank the people and government of the Federal Republic of Germany for their humanitarian assistance in the clearance of landmines in Cambodia,” he wrote.

On the occasion, Risser also expressed support for the development of human resources following on the request of CMAC, adding that together they can solve various challenges together.

Ratana said yesterday that the funding will help CMAC to clear minefields in Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces, employing 200 operational personnel and the work will require about two years to clear explosive remnants of war (ERW) from more than 40 square kilometres.

“This assistance is very important because we still have a lot of landmine problems, especially in the provinces of Banteay Meanchey and Oddar Meanchey. There are still landmines in the fields or on people’s land,” he added.

“This assistance will help us clear some land to ensure safety and promote economic development for the people,” Ratana said.

He noted that the funding could not clear all the landmines remaining in the two provinces.

He noted that last year Germany provided a grant of $2.1 million for a 16 month period, which finished at the end of August.

“Securing international resources to assist with demining in Cambodia is crucial for sustaining ongoing demining efforts. Despite over 30 years of work, unexploded ordnance from the war remains a persistent issue,” Ratana said.

Those areas in Cambodia that have been declared landmine-free include Phnom Penh and the provinces of Stung Treng, Kep, Prey Veng, Preah Sihanouk, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Svay Rieng, Mondulkiri, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot, Kratie and Kampong Speu.

Cambodia is one of the nations in the world most seriously affected by ERW, including landmines and leftover cluster munitions. An estimated four to six million landmines and other munitions remain scattered around Cambodia following the cessation of more than three decades of conflict.

• Tags: CMAC, Germany