The leadership of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) have described the hardships faced by Cambodian citizens who became displaced persons due to recent Thai attacks with European and North American officials. They also shared details of the damage to public infrastructure and the long-term impacts of the clashes.
Senior Minister Ly Thuch, CMAA first vice-president, held separate bilateral meetings with senior officials responsible for mine clearance affairs from Germany, Switzerland and Canada in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 1 and 2.
The three senior foreign officials included Stefan Delfs, head of division for Humanitarian Mine Action at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany; Zoë Poznicek, program manager for Humanitarian Mine Action at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs; and Jason Kelland, senior policy officer for Non-Proliferation and Disarmament at Global Affairs Canada.
During the meetings, Thuch provided updates on the mine situation in Cambodia and the latest challenges along the border resulting from Thai attacks.
A CMAA press release quoted him as stating: “Although the situation has eased, fear among the people remains due to explosive remnants of war scattered across the land and agricultural fields, specifically cluster munitions. Tragically, a young Cambodian child recently lost their life due to a cluster bomb left behind by this attack.”
He also confirmed that public infrastructure, homes, schools, health centres, pagodas and ancient temples suffered severe damage due to this attack. However, Cambodia maintains a stance of resolving border issues peacefully and non-violently.
He expressed gratitude to Germany, Switzerland and Canada for continuing to stand with Cambodia and for serving as close partners in addressing landmines and explosive remnants of war left behind by decades of conflict.
He requested that the three countries continue to support addressing the remaining impacts until Cambodia can achieve its goal of being free from the threat of landmines and explosive remnants of war.
