Displaced villagers, especially children, are being strongly urged to remain vigilant about the dangers of cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance left over from the recent armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
This message was emphasised during an awareness-raising program on cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war used by Thai forces on Cambodian territory, on Wednesday, August 27, in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province.
The event was jointly organised by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), Spirit of Soccer (SOS), Phnom Penh Crown FC, CMAC, local authorities and the National Center for Peacekeeping and the provincial mine action planning team. The aim was to raise awareness about explosive remnants of war and to encourage children to choose sports instead.
Presiding over the ceremony, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, CMAA first vice-president, explained that the programme focused on educating displaced communities — particularly children in temporary shelter after being evacuated from their homes due to the recent clashes — about landmines, cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance.
He urged all citizens to “exercise the utmost caution regarding the dangers of unexploded ordnance and cluster munitions left over from war once they return to their villages, as such explosive remnants can cause injury, disability, or death at any time”.
He also encouraged both boys and girls to play football rather than playing with unexploded devices, which could bring about deadly accidents. Sports equipment was also handed over the children.
Thuch also reminded the public that every person has “three mothers” who must be absolutely protected: first, the biological mother; second, the mother-in-law; and third, the motherland. Therefore, all Cambodians must honour and love their parents and families, while also nurturing a spirit of patriotism and a firm commitment to defending the nation from enemy aggression.
Banteay Ampil saw some of the heaviest fighting, with Thai forces dropping MK-82 and MK-84 bombs from fighter jets, as well as the deployment of cluster munitions.
