SVAY RIENG: Svay Rieng province has been declared the eighth mine-free province in Cambodia, while the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) unit currently clears the last known mines in Svay Rieng, covering a total area of more than 12,386,927 square meters, equivalent to 139 minefields.
On Monday morning, 20 February 2023, the Minister of National Assembly Senate Relations and Inspection, DPM Men Sam An, attended the event to declare Svay Rieng province mine free, under the Prime Minister's Project for Mine Action (theme: “Provide Safe Land, Create Smiles").
Speaking at the event, DPM Men Sam An thanked friendly countries, development partners, national and international organizations and donors who have helped the government in achieving this feat, and further expressed her deep gratitude to national and international demining operators and their leadership.
The staff of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), under the leadership of its Vice President, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, stated that the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Mine Authority's demining project has been successful.
He added that in 2022, 41 square kilometers of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Svay Rieng province, equivalent to 419 minefields/munitions, were cleared. Additionally, 3,569 anti-personnel mines, 132 anti-tank mines and 71,843 other explosive remnants were found and destroyed.
He said that although Svay Rieng province was declared a mine province, Svay Rieng still continues to be threatened by cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance in a suspected area of more than 109 square kilometers, equivalent to 771 plantations located throughout the province.
It should be noted that under Prime Minister Hun Sen's Project for Mine Action in Svay Rieng Province, the CMAC were able to clear the last mine in the province and official declare Svay Rieng as mine free. In total area of 12 kms, 139 mines were found and destroyed, along with 1,023 anti-personnel mines and 299 other explosive remnants of war.
