The Quick Impact Project for ‘Mine – Free Villages in Koh Kong Province’ has been successfully completed by a collaboration between the Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), the Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, Koh Kong provincial authorities, and National Centre for Peacekeeping, Mine and ERW Clearance (NPMEC).
The project completion ceremony was held on July 18 in the presence of H.E. Tep Kallyan, Deputy Secretary General, CMAA, H.E. Sreng Hong, Deputy Governor, Koh Kong province, Major General Chhoeun Chomnit, NPMEC with the participation of more than 250 people from mine-free villages and students. The Embassy of India was represented by Mr. Richhpal Singh, First Secretary.
According to the embassy’s press release, the QIP has resulted in making four villages Tam Kan, Prolean, Chamkar Leu, and Thma Sa in Koh Kong province free from landmines benefiting more than 7000 people. The project has been implemented under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, under which India has so far provided g
rant assistance for 54 QIPs in Cambodia in diverse sectors including education, health. sanitation, agriculture, women empowerment, capacity building, environment, tourism among others.
Speaking at the completion ceremony, both CMAA deputy secretary general and Koh Kong provincial deputy governor, expressed their appreciation and thanks to the grant assistance by India for the project. In his remarks, First Secretary, Embassy of India elaborated on demining cooperation between India and Cambodia.
India has been cooperating with relevant Cambodian entities, both civilian and military, in the demining sector, which is a priority area for the Royal Government of Cambodia.
With CMAA, another project, for making Botum Sakor, Sre Ambel, Thmar Baing districts and Trapeang Rung commune in Koh Kong province Mine Free with a total grant assistance of US$426,709 from India is likely to commence soon. The grant assistance was announced by the Hon’ble Vice President of India during his visit to Cambodia in November 202
2. The project aims to clear an area of around 1,972,091 square metres of landmines and other pieces of unexploded ordnance benefiting 86,367 people in the area.
Last year, in March 2023, a month-long artificial limb fitment camp in Banteay Meanchey province was held under the India for Humanity Initiative, and more than 650 Cambodian nationals were fitted with artificial limbs in the camp.
India has been imparting demining training to NPMEC personnel and has also gifted 19 sniffer dogs. A grant assistance of US$1.5 million for providing demining equipment to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces is under implementation.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse