India-backed demining returns nearly 200,000 sqm of land to Cambodian villagers
Around 197,810 square metres of cleared land was handed back to residents of Kaoh Pao village in Koh Kong province after an Indian-supported demining project.
Villagers in Kaoh Pao, a settlement within Pak Khlang commune of Koh Kong province, received back nearly 200,000 square metres of land that had been cleared of landmines and unexploded ordnance. The transfer took place on October 1 and is the culmination of a demining effort funded through India’s Quick Impact Project under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation framework. About 134 households are expected to benefit from the safe access for agriculture, housing and other socio-economic uses.
The Indian embassy highlighted the long-standing partnership with Cambodia on humanitarian mine-action, which includes technical assistance, capacity-building, demining equipment and mine-detection dogs. To date, India has approved 75 Quick Impact Projects in Cambodia, with 55 completed and 20 ongoing, covering sectors such as education, health, sanitation and women’s empowerment alongside mine clearance.
Why it matters
Returning cleared land improves safety and economic prospects for hundreds of families in a border region of Cambodia.
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