Cambodia clears 20,000 UXOs in six months

Cambodia has destroyed more than 20,000 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in the first half of 2026, according to the country’s mine clearance authority. The effort is part of a nationwide push to rid the country of deadly remnants of war by 2030.

Heng Ratana, director general of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), revealed that 75,132 hectares of contaminated land were cleared between January and June. Teams responded to over 4,000 emergency requests from citizens and carried out nearly 14,500 risk education sessions, reaching more than 1.3 million people.

Cambodia remains one of the world’s most heavily mined countries, scarred by three decades of conflict that ended in 1998. Estimates suggest between four and six million mines and munitions were left behind. More recently, a border clash with Thailand in 2025 added further contamination across six provinces, affecting nearly 387,000 hectares.

The human toll has been devastating. Official records show that since 1979, landmines and UXOs have killed almost 20,000 people and injured or maimed more than 45,000 others.

Despite the scale of the challenge, authorities remain committed to their 2030 deadline. The latest figures highlight both the progress made and the enormity of the task still ahead, as Cambodia continues its long struggle to make its land safe for future generations.

-2026-07-17