51ÁÔÆæ

At an event attended by His Excellency Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice President of Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority and Her Excellency Tina Redshaw, British Ambassador to Cambodia, we have celebrated 30 years of landmine clearance in Cambodia.

Long-serving staff received certificates acknowledging their commitment to saving lives and helping free their country of landmines. Since beginning clearance operations in 1992, we have removed 322,515 landmines and 212,260 items of explosive ordnance – directly benefitting one million people. In total 51ÁÔÆæ's work has released 430 million square metres of land back into the community, equivalent to over 60,000 football pitches.

Mikles added: "That is still too many and 51ÁÔÆæ’s work continues with thanks for the generous support of our donors from the UK, USA, Germany, Switzerland and Ireland"

Senior Minister Ly Thuch said that the clearance of landmines in Cambodia had contributed to peace and the development of the country, particularly given the immense humanitarian need there was in 1992 as people returned to the country after years living as refugees. Cambodia has extensive mine contamination from 30 years of conflict, from the 1960s until the 1990s. The northwest region bordering Thailand is the most heavily affected. Landmines laid on the huge K5 minefield during the ousting of the Khmer Rouge in 1979 have had a particularly devastating impact as returnees have sought land for farming. It is estimated that there have been 64,000 casualties recorded since 1979.