Phnom Penh: JMAS (Japan Mine Action Service) and the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA) have joined hands in a cooperative effort to support demining and development initiatives in Malai district, Banteay Meanchey province, and the clearance of cluster munitions in Stung Treng province.

The agreement for this collaborative effort was signed on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at the CMAC (Cambodian Mine Action Centre) Headquarters. Mr. Heng Ratana, President of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, and Mr. KARUBE Masakazu, President of JMAS Cambodia, formalized the partnership.

This joint initiative, with a total budget of $499,110, is a grant project set to span 12 months, running from December 19, 2023, to December 18, 2024.

It's worth noting that this marks the third year of the project's implementation, with a mission to clear a total of 630 hectares of minefields and mine plantations across Banteay Meanchey and Stung Treng provinces.

The progress achieved during the project's first and second years is commendable, with CMAC successfully clearing a total of 1,185 hectares of minefields and mines while discovering and destroying 1,671 mines. This effort has directly and indirectly benefited 64,019 individuals.