PHNOM PENH – Cambodia and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) have signed a US-funded project worth $600,000 to support cluster munition clearance in eastern Cambodia.
The signing ceremony was conducted by Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) director-general Heng Ratana and NPA Cambodia country director Hans Peter Risser on September 27 at the Technical Institute of Mine Action in Kampong Chhnang province.
It followed a site visit by US Congress Representatives Adam Smith, Michael Baumgartner and Chrissy Houlahan.
Organized by the US Embassy, the visit aimed to provide delegations with firsthand insights into Cambodia’s demining efforts, particularly mine and unexploded ordnance clearance conducted by CMAC under the US Grant Cooperation Project.
Discussions also focused on fostering bilateral ties and advancing collaboration in mine clearance.
According to a video posted by CMAC, the cluster munitions remnant survey and clearance project will run for five months from December 1.
In a separate post on the embassy’s Facebook page, charge d’affaires Bridgette Walker announced $675,000 in new US funding to support Cambodia’s demining.
“The US is proud to be the largest demining donor to Cambodia, contributing more than $220 million since 1993, including $12 million this year, enabling Cambodian families to live and thrive in peace,” it said.
Founded in 1939, NPA is the Labour Movement’s Humanitarian Solidarity Organization, working in Norway and in more than 30 countries worldwide. Its international work covers three core areas including mine action and disarmament, development and humanitarian relief.
The organization has been working in Cambodia since 1992, with the mission that landmines, cluster munitions, and other explosive remnants of war no longer pose a risk to people and are no longer an obstacle to development.
Cambodia previously set a goal to become mine-free by 2025 but extended the deadline to 2030.
Between 1992 and 2024, 3,297 square kilometers have been demined and reused for agriculture (81 percent), infrastructure (four percent), and community buildings (15 percent), benefiting more than 10 million people.
