A tractor driver was seriously injured when his vehicle ran over a landmine in Oddar Meanchey province in April. CMAC
In the first five months of the year, Cambodia recorded 20 casualties of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW), marking a 33 per cent decrease compared to the same period in 2024, when 30 people fell victim to the hidden reminders of the Kingdom’s violent past.
Lang Kosal, spokesman for the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) told The Post that of the 20 victims this year, eight were harmed by landmines and 12 by ERWs. Among them were five boys and one girl under the age of 18.
Six people were killed in the incidents, while two individuals lost limbs and an additional 12 were also injured, some of them seriously.
The CMAA also noted that Turkiye has expressed interest in partnering with Cambodia to support mine and ERW victim assistance.
Ly Thuch, CMAA first vice-president, met with Turkish ambassador Ülkü Kocaefe and Burak Saritarla, regional coordinator for the Türkiye Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) – which oversees Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam – on May 30.
CMAA first vice-president Ly Thuch attends a May 30 working meeting with Turkish ambassador Ülkü Kocaefe. CMAA
“During the discussion, the ambassador expressed Turkiye’s interest in contributing to Cambodia’s efforts in assisting mine and ERW victims, including through the provision of prosthetic limbs,” said a CMAA statement.
The ambassador also requested the CMAA’s cooperation in supporting TIKA’s initiatives and coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of its programmes in Cambodia.
Thuch explained that the CMAA not only manages mine clearance efforts but also focuses on coordinating victim assistance and supporting affected communities.
Cambodia currently has 11 rehabilitation centres which provide free services, including prosthetics, physical therapy and vocational training for victims, he noted.
The authority has also established a national network of victim assistance volunteers, who help to coordinate and manage victim-related information and improve the delivery of services directly to affected communities.
