Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk has generously donated $20,000 to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) to support mine clearance operations along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
Heng Ratana, director-general of CMAC, received the donation through Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Royal Palace Kuy Sophal at the Royal Palace on Thursday, September 4.
Ratana stated that the Queen Mother’s invaluable gift will be used to clear war remnants along the border with Thailand — reminders of the “Siamese military invasion” against Cambodia’s territorial integrity between July 24–28 of this year.
In addition, the funds will also be used for mine risk education campaigns, raising awareness of the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance left by “Thai aggression”. Such education aims to ensure the safety of displaced citizens returning to their homes.
He further pointed out that the Queen Mother’s consistent and generous support — whether financial or in-kind — has played a crucial role in reducing mine-related casualties, freeing safe land for agricultural use and improving community livelihoods.
Her assistance has also helped advance local development, particularly by supporting urgent operations such as mine clearance and risk education for displaced persons currently living in refugee camps, enabling them to safely and swiftly return to their homes.
He noted that the donation reflected Her Majesty’s deep compassion and commitment to the specialised CMAC demining forces, who continue their vital work clearing mines and explosive remnants of war.
