PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, June 25 (NNN-XINHUA) – China donated mine-clearance equipment, vans, and motorcycles to the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA).
The donation included mine detectors, de-mining personal protective equipment outfits and helmets, exploding initiators, vans, and motorcycles, among others.
Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wentian, hoped that the donation would help reduce landmine and un-exploded ordnance (UXO) casualties in Cambodia, saying that, China was committed to helping Cambodia eliminate all types of mines and explosive remnants of war by 2025.
The Chinese government has provided de-mining assistance and training courses to more than 40 countries across the globe, he said.
Cambodia is one of the most landmine-affected countries in the world. An estimated four to six million landmines and other munitions were left over from nearly three decades of war that ended in 1998.
According to a government report, landmine and UXO explosions had killed 19,776 people and either injured or amputated 45,049 others, from 1979 to April, 2019.
CMAA’s first Vice-President, Ly Thuch, expressed his profound gratitude to China for providing mine-clearance assistance to Cambodia, saying that, to date, Cambodia has cleared mines and UXO’s on the area of 1,869 square kilometres, destroying 1.07 million anti-personnel mines, 24,925 anti-tank mines, and 2.79 million explosive remnants of war.
He said, it was estimated that mines, explosive remnants of war and cluster bombs are still scattered over the area of 2,149 square kilometres in Cambodia, and the kingdom is seeking about 406 million U.S. dollars in aid, to clear all types of the munitions by 2025.
“China’s aid is crucial to save lives of the Cambodian people who are living under threat of landmines and UXO’s,” he said.
“To achieve the target of mine-free Cambodia in 2025, China’s continued support is very important,” he added.– NNN-XINHUA
