PHNOM PENH: The First Deputy Chairman of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), Senior Minister Ly Thuch, has called on his compatriots to join the National Movement to Save Lives by Clearing Mines, with a needed budget of $1 dollar, or 4,000 riel, per four square meters of land. Cambodia still has another 716 square kilometers of minefields left to be cleared.
Speaking at a Thursday afternoon (8 July) press conference on the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Mine Action Project under the theme "Provide Safe Land, Create Smiles" to solve the ongoing mine problem in Cambodia, Senior Minister Ly Thuch called on everyone to join the National Movement to Save Lives, to work towards preventing disability due to mines and provide safe land for the people.
"In the name of the Prime Minister, who only has respect for our people at all levels, tens of thousands of people have joined the movement, and some donated $1 dollar," he said. "For one square meter, we spend only 900 to 1,000 riel, and so $1 helps to clear at least four square meters of land.”
The Senior Minister also said that so far, the funding contributed by the people and the private sector has amounted to more than US $15 million, while the remaining area of land that needs to be cleared of mines is 716 square kilometers.
This national movement was established to help clear mines in Cambodia toward achieving the status of a landmine-free country by 2025. This movement welcomes people from all walks of life to participate through charitable contributions that will help authorities accomplish this hard task.
On Sunday, 3 July, the Prime Minister’s Project for Mine Action was announced after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the Minister of Economy, Aun Porn Moniroth, to prepare part of the national budget toward expediting the demining process, and encouraged the private sector to join in with the Royal Government in achieving a mine-free Cambodia.
To date, the funds raised for the destruction of landmines and unexploded ordnance amount to a total of US $15,614,910 and 190,800,000 riel.
People who wish to donate through online bank transfer can send their donation to the following bank numbers:
ABA Bank: 004 193 716 (KHR), 444 445 555 (USD)
ACLEDA Bank: 000 104 538 88899 (KHR), 000 104 538 88888 (USD)
Canadia Bank: 001 000 565 6643 (KHR), 001 000 565 6635 (USD)
