UK Demining Aid Brings Hope to Cambodia’s Minefields

CMAA, Hay, Ly Thuch, and the ambassador

SIEM REAP, 15 May 2025 — British support is transforming lives in Cambodia’s once-deadly landscapes, as UK officials hailed the progress of long-running demining efforts during a high-profile visit this week to Siem Reap.

Charles Hay MVO, Director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, toured mine clearance operations by the HALO Trust near Kulen Mountain. He witnessed first-hand how formerly explosive-laden terrain has been turned into safe farmland and playgrounds for local children.

“Fields once deadly with explosives are now productive farmland,” said Hay. “The bravery of HALO’s deminers is extraordinary. Their work is bringing Cambodia closer to its goal of becoming mine-free by 2030.”

The UK’s Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP) has cleared over 151 million square metres of land across Cambodia since 2014, reaching nearly half a million people with risk education and helping over 600,000 individuals reclaim safe living and working spaces. Britain has invested around £60 million in demining efforts since 1993, with operations continuing into 2026.

Hay’s visit included talks with Senior Minister Ly Thuch of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority and Lieutenant General Uch Vantha. The focus: strengthening coordination and ensuring the UK’s support aligns with national priorities.

Beyond traditional aid, Britain is backing innovation. The “Minefields to Rice Fields” bond, launched in 2023 with £1.4 million in funding, has already cleared 7.6 million square metres of land in Preah Vihear province. More than 2,600 people now live and farm safely where mines once lay hidden.

The initiative is part of a wider effort to attract private investment into humanitarian mine action, with partners like APOPO seeking fresh backers to sustain momentum beyond 2026.

As a founding signatory of the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, the UK’s commitment remains firm. Demining in Cambodia is not only saving lives—it’s also creating jobs, empowering women, and restoring dignity to survivors and those living with disabilities.

With continued international support, Cambodia’s mine-free ambition by 2030 is looking increasingly within reach.

-2025-05-15