The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has requested coordination from the Oddar Meanchey provincial administration and relevant departments as it plans to clear unexploded ordnance (UXO) fired by the Thai military into the province during the recent armed clashes.
The request was made by Senior Minister Ly Thuch, CMAA first vice-president, during a September 10 meeting to assess the impacts of the conflict and to plan UXO clearance activities in the province.
According to the authority, Oddar Meanchey province suffered significant damage and destruction to civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, health centres and places of worship, including pagodas. Tens of thousands of families have been evacuated to safe locations.
The mine authority emphasised that the impact of the explosive remnants requires a comprehensive assessment and prior clearance before displaced residents can return to resume daily activities.
Thuch noted that Oddar Meanchey has historically suffered severe impacts from Cambodia’s prolonged wars, leaving behind a vast legacy of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).
Over the past 30 years, the Royal Government, in collaboration with friendly countries, development partners, demining operators and other stakeholders, has cleared 296 square kilometres, destroying 106,712 anti-personnel mines, 1,785 anti-tank mines and 100,558 other ERW.
However, these efforts have been burdened by additional UXOs left over from the five-day July 24-28 border conflict.
Thuch described the Thai military’s actions as “severely undermining Cambodia’s hard-earned peace and the well-being of its people”.
He urged the provincial administration and relevant departments to report their specific needs in affected areas and to cooperate in assessing and clearing UXO.
According to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), Oddar Meanchey was heavily impacted by Thai attacks, including numerous MK-80-family aerial bombs and hundreds of cluster munitions, some of which damaged pagodas, schools and homes.
