Key developments since May 2004: From September 2003 until December
2004 Cambodia co-chaired the Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk
Education and Mine Action Technologies. Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister
attended the First Review Conference, and ICBL Youth Ambassador Song Kosal
addressed the opening ceremony. A major launch of the Landmine Monitor
Report 2004 was held in Cambodia with the King’s participation.
Cambodia newly discovered and destroyed over 15,000 stockpiled antipersonnel
mines in 2004, more than any year since the destruction program was
completed.
In June 2005, Cambodia reported to States Parties that it would request an
extension to the Article 5 deadline (March 2010) unless donors increased
funding. International donations for mine action in Cambodia increased
substantially in 2004, to over US$41 million. Cambodia reported that
approximately $30 million was expended on mine action in 2004. An evaluation of
mine action claimed that only one tenth of the area previously identified as
mine-contaminated would require clearance. The evaluation recommended
redefining the mine action authority’s role. During 2004, four demining
operators cleared over 32 square kilometers of land, less than in 2003. On 10
August 2005, five national standards for demining were approved by Prime
Minister Hun Sen. Mine risk education reached about 600,000 people in 2004,
including repeat visits. There was a significant increase in the number of
casualties reported, compared with 2003; more casualties were due to unexploded
ordnance than previously. At the First Review Conference, Cambodia was
identified as one of 24 States Parties with significant numbers of mine
survivors, and with the greatest needs and responsibility to provide adequate
survivor assistance. In June 2005, as part of its commitment to the Nairobi
Action Plan, Cambodia presented some of its objectives for the period 2005-2009
to address the needs of mine survivors.
Mine Ban Policy
The
Kingdom of Cambodia signed the Mine Ban Treaty on 3 December 1997, ratified on
28 July 1999, and the treaty entered into force on 1 January 2000. Domestic
implementation legislation—the Law to Prohibit the Use of Anti-Personnel
Mines—took effect on 28 May
1999.[1]
The Cambodian government and NGOs continued to actively support the Mine Ban
Treaty throughout 2004 and the first half of 2005. Deputy Prime Minister Sok An
led the Cambodian delegation to the First Review Conference held in Nairobi in
November-December 2004. He said the government’s goals included
mainstreaming mine action into development planning and integrating mine
survivors back into society, and noted that “mine clearance is not just an
issue of security, but it involves major socioeconomic and development impacts
as well, especially regarding the provision of land and safety for the poor
farming families in remote, rural
areas.”[2]Cambodia served as
one of nine Vice-Presidents for the First Review Conference.
The Cambodian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL) played an active part in the
First Review Conference and its side events. ICBL Youth Ambassador Song Kosal,
a twenty-year-old Cambodian mine survivor, delivered a powerful statement at the
opening ceremony, describing the progress achieved in the five years since the
Mine Ban Treaty became law as “good news,” but “not
enough.” She called on the governments to do more, stating, “Many
communities living in newly cleared mine fields still do not have houses, water,
food, safe land for farming, schools or medical care. This is not fair. In
some countries landmine victims still make new legs from old bombs. This is not
just.”[3]ICBL Ambassador Tun
Channareth, a Cambodian mine survivor, spoke at an interfaith service and
participated in a public marathon and other key events. Chin Sophally
participated in the International Youth Symposium.
From September 2003 until December 2004, Cambodia co-chaired the Standing
Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine Action Technologies,
with Japan. The Secretary-General of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim
Assistance Authority (CMAA), Sam Sotha, took on this role, urging all
mine-affected States Parties to identify and present their problems, plans,
progress and priorities for mine action assistance in time for the First Review
Conference.
On 17 November 2004, the CCBL organized the first global launch of the
landmine casualty and survivor assistance findings of Landmine Monitor Report
2004, one of three major thematic launches of the report. King Norodom
Sihamoni attended the event in one of his first public appearances as head of
Cambodia’s royal family, and greeted dozens of people with disabilities
from among the crowd of over 4,200 participants.
Also in November 2004, a meeting on landmines and unexploded ordnance risk
education in the Mekong Sub-Region was held in Siem Reap. Prime Minister Hun
Sen opened the third mine action achievements conference in Phnom Penh on 28
April 2005.[4]Throughout 2004 and
2005, the Mine Action Forum of NGOs engaged in mine action met every three
months to discuss topics of common concern, including data collection, mine risk
education, planning priorities, village demining and the problem of civilians
tampering with live mines and other ordnance.
Cambodia submitted its sixth annual Article 7 report, including voluntary
Form J, on 22 April 2005, for calendar year
2004.[5]Cambodia participated in the
June 2005 intersessional Standing Committee meetings, making statements on mine
clearance and victim assistance.
Cambodia has not engaged in the extensive discussions that States Parties
have had on matters of interpretation and implementation related to Articles 1,
2 and 3. Thus, Cambodia has not made known its views on issues related to joint
military operations with non-States Parties, antivehicle mines with sensitive
fuzes or antihandling devices, and the permissible number of mines retained for
training. In June 2005, the CMAA Secretary General told Landmine Monitor that
Cambodia will not participate in any joint military operations unless requested
by the United Nations.[6]
Cambodia is a State Party to Amended Protocol II of the Convention on
Conventional Weapons, but did not attend the Sixth Annual Meeting of States
Parties in Geneva in November 2004, and did not submit its annual report
required under Article 13.
Production, Transfer and Use
Landmines were laid in Cambodia from the mid-1960s until the late 1990s,
with reports and allegations of mine use by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces
(RCAF) and the Khmer Rouge until 1998. There have been no specific allegations
of use, production or transfer of antipersonnel mines by government forces or
any opposition forces since 1999. Cambodia has reported that it does not have
any antipersonnel mine production
facilities.[7]The Cambodian
government is not known to have exported antipersonnel mines in the
past.[8]Allegations of private sales
of mines have been constant from 1980 until 2005.
Stockpiling and Destruction
The Royal Cambodian Armed Forces destroyed 71,991 stockpiled antipersonnel
mines between 1994 and 1998, and in February 1999 the RCAF Deputy Commander in
Chief formally stated that the RCAF no longer had stockpiles of antipersonnel
landmines.[9]In 2000, Cambodia
reported a stockpile of 2,034 antipersonnel mines held by the National
Police.[10]Cambodia subsequently
declared that there have been no antipersonnel mine stockpiles in the country
since 2001.[11]
However, police and military units continue to find antipersonnel mines and
other weapons in various locations and from various sources around the country.
Many are caches left over from the decades of war. Village demining and the
scrap metal trade also account for some of the newly discovered stocks of mines.
The mines are supposed to be reported to CMAA and handed to the Cambodian Mine
Action Center (CMAC) for destruction; some of the mines may also be used for
training purposes.[12]The
discovery and disposition of these additional mines were not consistently or
completely reported in Cambodia’s previous Article 7
submissions.[13]
In its April 2005 Article 7 report, Cambodia declares that, from 2000 to
2004, a total of 54,258 antipersonnel mines were found and destroyed. This
includes 15,446 destroyed by three agencies in 2004; 10,033 by CMAC, 3,632 by
HALO Trust and 1,781 by Mines Advisory Group. That is a larger number than any
previous year.[14]
In August 2005, HALO reported that in the previous few weeks RCAF had handed
over more than 12,000 stockpiled antipersonnel mines. HALO had been assisting
RCAF with disposal of degraded and unwanted munitions in its main warehouse
facility in Kompong Speu. HALO noted that the “vast majority of the mines
were boxed and in perfect condition,” and cited this as “an
independently verifiable example of the RCAF attempting to comply” with
Mine Ban Treaty obligations.[15]
In what is apparently a sub-set of the above figures, Cambodia also reported
that 16,959 antipersonnel mines were transferred to CMAC for destruction between
1997 and 2002: 3 mines in 1997; 1,389 in 1998; 5,243 in 1999; 6,626 in 2000; 533
in 2001; 3,165 in 2002. Cambodia reported that figures were not available for
2003 or 2004.[16]
Mines Retained for Research and Training
In all six of its Article 7 reports, Cambodia has indicated that it has no
antipersonnel mines retained for training or development purposes, as permitted
under Article 3. However, it has also reported transfer of mines for training
and development purposes to the CMAC Training Center each year. It appears each
year some mines are sent to the CMAC Training Center—mines removed from
the ground by deminers or mines from newly discovered caches—and,
presumably, consumed shortly thereafter.
However, Cambodia has not stated clearly if all (or any) of the transferred
mines are consumed each year, or kept from one year to the next for training
purposes. Moreover, Cambodia has not yet reported in any detail on the intended
purposes and actual uses of mines kept for training—a step agreed to by
States Parties in the Nairobi Action Plan that emerged from the First Review
Conference.
Cambodia reported that in 2004 various demining units transferred 596
antipersonnel mines to the CMAC Training Center to support its demining training
activities.[17]Between 1993 and
2004, a total of 3,079 antipersonnel mines were reported transferred to CMAC for
use in demining training, including 366 from various CMAC demining units in
2003, and 240 from the Ministry of Interior in
2002.[18]
From the varying figures given in the Article 7 reports over the years, it
appears very difficult for mine-affected countries like Cambodia to answer
questions on stockpiles and destruction accurately. Many of these countries
have suffered years of war, random mine-laying and clearance and destruction of
mines, and unreported village clearance. There is confusion about mines
transferred from minefields for destruction becoming temporary stockpiles,
village caches and landmines held in warehouses.
Landmine and ERW Problem
Cambodia is one of the countries most affected by mine and explosive
remnants of war (ERW), due to almost three decades of conflict. Contamination
by mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is both severe and highly complex in
Cambodia. There are also quantities of abandoned ammunition.
The K5 mine belt, 700 kilometers long and 400-500 meters wide on the
northwestern border of the country, is vast and densely contaminated. The K5
belt is well delineated, in contrast to other parts of the former war zone,
where sporadic, overlapping and unmapped minefields resulted from the practice
of laying mines year after year to protect defensive perimeters as combatants
retreated to safe ground after the annual dry season. The most commonly found
antipersonnel mines in Cambodia are PMN, PMN2, PMD-6, MN79, Type 69, DH10, MON
66/50, POMZ-2M, and Types 72A and
72B.[19]
UXO contamination results in large part from US forces, which dropped over
500,000 tons of bombs on Cambodia, mostly in the lightly inhabited northeastern
provinces. Based on a conservative 10 percent failure rate, some 50,000 tons of
unexploded bombs remained in these areas of Cambodia, in addition to unexploded
artillery shells, grenades and mortar rounds expended by other
combatants.[20]
Mine incidents occur mostly in the K5 border areas (provinces of Battambang,
Preah Vihear, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin and Pursat). In
Battambang, there are also many UXO incidents. UXO casualties are also recorded
each year in Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong
Speu, Svay Rieng, Kratie, Kandal and, to a lesser degree, in nine other
provinces. Most mine incidents are associated with livelihood activities being
undertaken in forests and fields.[21]In 2004, almost 99 percent of some 900 mine/UXO casualties were civilian,
a level that has persisted for several years. Over half of UXO casualties
resulted from deliberate
tampering.[22]
Another component of the mine/ERW problem in Cambodia derives from
unofficial stockpiles and caches of weapons and ammunition. In August 2005, for
example, HALO assisted RCAF in clearing its main ammunition warehouse facility
in Kampong Speu. This involved disposal of degraded, loose (unboxed) and
unwanted ammunition in RCAF stores, including more than 10 tons of conventional
ammunition, over a million rounds of small arms ammunition (25 tons) and more
than 12,000 antipersonnel
landmines.[23]
On 31 March 2005 an RCAF ammunitions depot in Battambang exploded, revealing
many kinds of weapons and fragments of vehicles, but no antipersonnel
mines.[24]The massive blast and
subsequent detonations killed at least six people, injured more than 20 others,
destroyed 14 homes and scattered more than 1,300 artillery shells over a 10
kilometer-wide area.[25]
Mine/UXO contamination is also an obstacle to development and infrastructure
projects, which are taking place in northwest
Cambodia.[26]
Mine Action Program
The Cambodian Mine Action Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) took over the
coordination and regulation of mine action from the Cambodian Mine Action Center
(CMAC) in September 2000. Its responsibilities include integration of mine
action into government development plans, the National Poverty Reduction
Strategy and Millennium Development
Goals.[27]CMAC continued to
operate, as an implementation agency for mine/UXO clearance.
An evaluation carried out in 2004 for the Cambodia Donor Working Group on
Mine Action found that donors as well as operators lacked confidence in CMAA,
due to its weakness and ineffectiveness, and that its work was largely ignored.
The evaluation recommends that CMAA concentrate on a few activities, such as
policy-making, resource mobilization, preparation of annual reports and
establishing standards. Other CMAA responsibilities should be tasked to other
more appropriate agencies, including mapping, land policy, allocation and
titling, mine risk education and victim
assistance.[28]
Priority-setting and tasking for mine action is regulated by the sub-decree
on Socio-Economic Management of Mine Clearance Operations adopted on 17
September 2004.[29]This transforms
the earlier structure of provincial Land Use Planning Units by prioritizing mine
action, mainly at local level, and integrating it with development
priorities.[30]To achieve this,
CMAA created Mine Action Planning Units (MAPUs), operating under the auspices of
Provincial Mine Action Committees
(PMACs).[31]The PMAC is a
non-permanent body chaired by a provincial vice-governor, and has the task of
approving annual provincial mine clearance workplans by selecting mined land to
clear, according to national priorities, provincial development, and
prioritization for poor people. MAPUs are the focal points for coordination
between contaminated communities and demining/development
agencies.[32]The first PMAC and
MAPU were created in Oddar Meanchey province on 21 December 2004. As of April
2005, there were five MAPUs, operating in the same provinces as the former Land
Use Planning Units.[33]
MAPUs conduct field investigations and collect requests from villages; they
are assisted by mine action district working groups in the selection of
minefields for the benefit of
communities.[34]MAPUs are
supported by a wide range of organizations, and funded by the UN Development
Programme (UNDP) and UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). MAPU budgets are
managed by SEILA.[35]
Capacity-building for mine action planning is provided by Australian
Volunteers International (AVI). GeoSpatial International (GSI) is engaged in
the identification of processes to improve data collection by MAPU staff. AVI
and GSI have also been developing PMAC capacity in information management and
data collection.[36]
The Five Year Mine Action Plan 2005-2009 was updated with achievements made
in 2004. Its goals include clearance of high impact areas by 2009, integration
of clearance with development and poverty reduction, improved cost efficiency,
post-clearance monitoring from 2005, and “balancing preventive and
curative activities.”[37]
The National Work Plan for 2005, which compiles workplans from the four main
operators, set a target of 35,460,000 square meters to be cleared. CMAC, HALO
and Mines Advisory Group (MAG) aim to clear 18,510,000 square meters for
resettlement and agriculture, benefiting an estimated 66,000 families. Mine
clearance operations were to be conducted on more than 500
minefields.[38]
During 2004, CMAA finalized 17 Cambodian mine action standards. On 10
August 2005, five standards were approved by Prime Minister Hun
Sen.[39]Based on these standards,
all demining operators must apply for accreditation and sign an agreement with
the CMAA Secretary General. Existing operators have six months from the
government decision (10 August 2005) to “file the official regulatory
agreements with the Secretary General of the
CMAA.”[40]
The National Mine Action Database (NMAD) contains data from the 2002
Landmine Impact Survey (LIS). Throughout 2004, Canada continued to fund NMAD in
order to maintain this data, to collect and analyze new clearance and technical
survey data provided by operators, and to continue efforts to implement the
Information Management System for Mine Action
(IMSMA).[41]Canadian support ended
on 31 December 2004, and in 2005 France funded the
project.[42]
Evaluation of Mine Action
The Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia was carried out in 2004 for
the Cambodia Donor Working Group on Mine Action. It aimed to provide an
independent assessment of the achievements and challenges of the mine action
sector in Cambodia, to present strategic recommendations for future donor
support and to provide a common basis for a renewed donor-government
partnership.[43]Major findings
were that existing approaches seemed to be maximizing the time needed to
eliminate the mine/UXO problem, rather than dealing with it in a
results-oriented and cost-efficient
manner.[44]
The evaluation team observed that Cambodia's mine contamination has been
“regarded as a legal problem from the standpoint of the Ottawa Convention
or a geographically impressionistic one from the point of view of the Level One
Survey.”[45]The consultants
tested a triage approach. Starting from the LIS total suspected hazardous area
of 4,466 square kilometers, the following areas were subtracted: land of little
or no productive value, land already cleared, and land in use. The remaining
area was 460 square kilometers, which they thought may be reduced even further
if land mapping data were updated. With current clearance rates, this area
could probably be completed in 10 to 15 years, which the evaluation team thought
would be a time span more attractive to current and potential donors.
The evaluation team's recommendation that “areas that are already in
use and that are presenting no problem to existing communities” be
eliminated from clearance consideration echoes an evaluation in 2003 for the UK
Department for International Development. This recommended that different
levels of treatment, and therefore acceptance of different levels of residual
risk, should be given to different sorts of land
use.[46]HALO's 2004 annual report
considers similar factors but reaches different conclusions about which
areas are most in need of clearance. HALO believes that efforts should be
focused on areas which are causing repeated casualties and for which there is no
local solution.[47]
The Joint Evaluation for the Donor Group referred to funding mechanisms as
generally failing to promote efficiency or accountability. The team recommended
that a demining trust fund be created. Demining contracts should be on a
competitive bidding basis, and include strong technical supervision and
financial monitoring. To support decentralization of mine clearance priority
setting, trust fund resources should be dedicated to meeting provincial
priorities as determined by the PMACs. The study welcomed the establishment of
MAPUs, as this supports the government’s decentralization policy and the
provincial authorities’ capacities to plan and prioritize mine clearance
in a transparent manner.[48]
A cost-benefit analysis of Cambodian mine clearance programs, conducted in
2004-2005 for CMAA and UNDP, indicated that mine clearance is contributing
substantial value to the Cambodian economy. Analysis of the 2004 clearance
program revealed benefits of about $37 million in total, distributed 80 percent
on clearance for development and 20 percent on reduced human losses. On the
basis of an average clearance cost of $0.90 per square meter, this implies that
net benefits are, in general, 38 percent higher than the costs. Mine clearance
was considered therefore to be fully justified on economic grounds. The
cost-benefit ratio could further improve with an expected increase in clearance
productivity over the next few years. At the current rate of land clearance,
demining activities bring over 20 square kilometers of land into productive use
in Cambodia every year.[49]
Survey and Assessment
Quantifying the scale of the mine/UXO problem in Cambodia remains difficult.
Before the Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) started in early 2000, there had been no
systematic survey, although numerous smaller technical surveys had been
conducted following requests from the local population living in suspected
areas, and considerable amounts of data had been stored in the CMAC database.
The LIS, issued in May 2002, identified 3,037 areas suspected to be affected
by mines, submunitions and other UXO, totaling 4,466 square kilometers of land.
It estimated that 5.18 million people in 6,422 villages were at risk, and about
1,640 villages—approximately 12 percent of all villages in
Cambodia—had a high contamination of landmines and
UXO.[50]
There has been widespread concern that the LIS had missed many mined areas.
Accordingly, as CMAA states in its 1992-2004 achievement report, LIS data must
be regularly updated and checked by national authorities and demining
operators.[51]
Risk Reduction
HALO believes that LIS identification of over 4,500 square kilometers of
mine-suspected area has not encouraged the best use of mine clearance resources
in Cambodia. HALO notes that the situation is polarized between high
threat areas, which the local population cannot deal with, and low threat areas,
which the population can and is dealing
with.[52]IMAS-compliant mine
clearance will never keep pace with land released by farmers occupying low
threat areas. Vast areas of low-density low-threat (roughly one mine per
hectare) land are released by the efforts of the local population. HALO
recorded 3,453 hectares cleared by farmers with only one mine-incident
occurring. HALO believes that professional clearance operators should
concentrate on the high threat areas, which are causing repeated accidents
and which the population cannot deal
with.[53]
In 2004, HALO reported that there was insufficient clarity over the limits
of mined areas to make perimeter marking of suspect areas effective. Although
HALO will mark the interface of roads and suspect ground as hazardous, no effort
is made to cover the entire suspect perimeter. HALO marks all current minefield
tasks at the point that clearance commences; it marked 240 minefields in
2004.[54]
CMAC Community Mine Marking Teams (CMMTs) marked 172 minefields with
long-term markings and 100 minefields with temporary markings, equaling
15,032,930 square meters in 2004.[55]CMMTs consist of five members equipped with two mine detectors and a
pick-up truck. They focus on marking minefields and small-scale clearance. In
2004 CMAC deployed 14 CMMT teams to carry out small high priority clearance
tasks requested by local communities and development
NGOs.[56]
Mine and ERW Clearance
Under Article 5 of the Mine Ban Treaty, Cambodia must clear all
antipersonnel mines in mined areas under its jurisdiction or control as soon as
possible, but not later than 1 March 2010. In June 2005, Cambodia informed Mine
Ban States Parties that it would request an extension of the 2010 deadline
unless further mine action funds were made
available.[57]This was repeated in
August 2005 by the Secretary General of
CMAA.[58]
During 2004, four mine action operators cleared a total of 32,006,885 square
meters of land, destroying 71,475 antipersonnel mines, 1,742 antivehicle mines
and 154,163 UXO.[59]This is a
reduction from the 41,746,541 square meters cleared in
2003.[60]However Cambodia includes
in its Article 7 reporting for 2004 a larger number of antipersonnel mines
destroyed.[61]From comparison of
Forms F and G and Annexes of the Article 7 report, it appears that Cambodia
included in the table below over 15,000 additional antipersonnel mines
“stockpiled” (that is, not used or emplaced) which were also
destroyed in 2004.[62]
Mine/UXO Clearance and Mines/UXO Destroyed in
2004[63]
Operator
Area (square meters)
Antipersonnel mines
Antivehicle mines
UXO
CMAC
11,157,336
43,635
936
106,360
HALO
5,681,054
20,020
588
18,709
MAG
2,039,495
6,687
58
16,394
RCAF
13,129,000
1,133
160
12,700
Total
32,006,885
71,475
1,742
154,163
Nearly 284 million square meters of land have been cleared since operations
began in 1992.
Cambodian Mine Action
Center:[64]CMAC cleared and
released to communities 11,157,336 square meters of land, which was used for
resettlement, agriculture, roads, pagodas, health centers, wells, ponds, commune
offices, irrigation canals, roads and schools. A total of 2,171 families
benefited directly from CMAC clearance activities in 2004 and an additional
58,256 families and 15,708 students were indirect beneficiaries.
In 2004, CMAC established and deployed two community-based demining teams in
Kamrieng district of Battambang under the supervision of Demining Unit 2 (DU2).
The team members, half of them female, were recruited from poor and vulnerable
families in the local villages of O Anlok and O Chamlong. Four technical survey
teams reduced 17,882,800 square meters from suspect area identified by LIS, and
cleared and surveyed a total of 218,031 square meters. CMAC teams also carried
out 479,004 meters of marking, which contained 247,409 square meters of land to
be cleared.
CMAC employs approximately 2,400 staff. By end of 2004, it had 44 platoons,
six mine risk reduction teams, 21 explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, 19
technical survey/mine marking teams, four other technical survey teams, 14
community mine marking teams, six mine risk education teams, 13 community-based
risk reduction district focal points, eight mine detection dog teams, 12 brush
cutter teams, two community-based demining teams, and two officers of
community-based UXO risk reduction projects. A total of 1,298 CMAC staff
undertook 56 training courses on mine action activities at the CMAC Training
Center during 2004.
Norwegian People’s Aid: NPA continued to provide support to
CMAC during the reporting period. It provided a technical advisor for the
community-based mine risk reduction project, which includes villagers in mine
action prioritization and planning, and encourages them to undertake MRE using
their own resources. NPA, MAG and Handicap International commissioned a study
of deliberate handling of UXO and its relation to the scrap metal trade. NPA
reported that the study provided a better understanding of vulnerable groups and
the reasons for persistent intentional risk-taking behavior. The study
recommended better coordination between development NGOs, national police and
community councils.[65]
NPA funded and monitored CMAC DU 1 in the northwest and continued to assist
in the MAPU process of land prioritization. Since March 2003, NPA has been
contracted by CMAC to support the development of a mine detection dog (MDD)
capacity; in 2004, NPA contracted two technical advisors and a national
consultant to ensure the effective integration of the MDD program within
CMAC’s work.[66]
HALO Trust:[67]HALO
cleared 5,681,054 square meters in five provinces in 2004, with 1,074 Khmer
staff (927 operational, 147 support). It fielded 101 manual demining sections,
14 mechanical clearance units, two EOD teams and one mine risk education team.
Land cleared was used for resettlement (19 percent), roads and access (14
percent), agriculture (44 percent), accident prevention (11 percent), water
(seven percent) and infrastructure (five percent). The average daily clearance
for manual deminers for the year was 29 square meters per man per day.
Roughly one third of all HALO deminers was deployed on K5 minefield tasks
throughout 2004. Because of border sensitivities, clearance was previously
restricted although this extremely dense concentration of mines (averaging
around 3,000 mines per kilometer of frontage) has consistently inflicted
injuries. In 2004 the government relaxed restrictions, which enabled HALO to
clear more than double the number of mines it cleared in 2003.
In the densest areas, HALO teams clear up to 30 mines a day. This led to an
excessive amount of time spent on demolition, and a consequent drop in
productivity. At the end of 2004, HALO fitted a Pearson mine roller to its D6
Bulldozer with a view to deploying it ahead of manual deminers in the dense
border minefields, to clear the majority of mines ahead of the manual deminers
and thereby improve overall efficiency. HALO has been conducting trials into
the cost effectiveness and operational effectiveness of a Tempest Ground
Engaging Flail.[68]
In response to a rise in the proportion of UXO casualties during 2004, HALO
established a second roving EOD team. This was reported to have great success
in tracking down ordnance before it caused injury. At the end of 2004, HALO
returned to the scrap yards of Poipet where the problem of explosives filtering
into the scrap metal trade continues unabated. In 2005, HALO deployed EOD teams
to Poipet on a permanent basis from its locations in Thma Puok, Samrong, Anlong
Veng and Siem Reap. In 2004, HALO deployed two mobile EOD teams across the
northwest of Cambodia. In total, EOD teams completed 650 clearance tasks and
cleared 16,608 UXO and 4,054 mines (3,632 antipersonnel mines, 422
antitank).
HALO worked with RCAF to clear a military store in Siem Reap province, which
contained thousands of explosive items in a decaying and hazardous state. In
March 2004, HALO was contracted by the US Department of State to destroy
Cambodia's stockpile of 234 SAM7 Man Portable Air Defense Systems.
HALO reports that it welcomes the introduction of PMACs and sees this
external audit as adding value to the task selection process. HALO believes
that it is vital that the new planning bodies recognize the significance of ad
hoc forest land use, so that clearance resources are directed where benefit is
most easily achieved. HALO participated in clearance as part of the
government’s North-West Rural Development Project (NRDP) and the
Provincial Infrastructure Project, on condition that the government funds future
clearance. In January 2005, HALO reported that it was negotiating a contract
with NRDP to assist with its mine clearance needs in 2005.
HALO reported two minor accidents in minefields and one major accident
outside minefields during 2004. On 9 May, a demining supervisor was killed
while attempting to open a TM-46 antivehicle mine with a set of industrial bolt
cutters. On 13 July, a section commander unwittingly threw a rifle grenade fuse
into a metal pit causing it to detonate and inflicting minor wounds on his right
leg. In a further accident on 16 September, a deminer was uninjured.
Mines Advisory Group:[69]In 2004 MAG reported clearing 2,039,495 square meters and destroying 6,687
antipersonnel mines and 58 antivehicle mines. MAG employed 500 national staff
and three expatriate staff in its Cambodia program in 2004. It deployed 23
multi-skilled mine action teams, three EOD teams, seven community liaison teams
and five Tempest mini-flail machines. The mine action teams are permanently
deployed in five provinces: Battambang, Pursat, Pailin, Kompong Thom and Preah
Vihear, while the EOD teams are additionally deployed in Kampong Cham. MAG
developed its EOD capacity in response to the increase in UXO incidents during
2004. MAG continues to use community liaison teams in affected communities.
In December 2004, a MAG EOD team member was killed and two were injured in a
UXO explosion. Investigation revealed that the deminers were knowingly
contravening standing operating procedures and dismantling UXO for scrap to
sell.
Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: RCAF cleared 13,129,136 square meters,
including: a military garrison at the Cambodia-Laos border (1,483,989 square
meters), land for construction of bridges and roads (8,883,396 square meters), a
hydrology system (1,701,751 square meters), and a hydropower plant (1,060,000
square meters). RCAF has 960 demining personnel, including 821 in a mine
clearance and UXO unit, 121 instructors and management officers, and 18 EOD
personnel.[70]
The Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) published
a study of the role of the military in mine action, which included a case study
of Cambodia. The study stated that RCAF “reports clearance rates far in
excess of anything achieved by other mine action agencies in Cambodia. It also
claims to have had zero casualties in mine and UXO clearance... These reports
cannot be verified and in the civilian mine action community are considered
unreliable.”[71]
A 2004 evaluation of the mine action sector in Cambodia questioned RCAF
capacity to conduct mine clearance in accordance with international standards.
It recommended that army personnel be made available for contracting by
qualified commercial demining operators (through seconding or demobilization),
as a form of on-the-job training. Alternatively, international technical
assistance could be requested to develop these capacities within the army. The
police was suggested as a more suitable body for the development of a long-term
national EOD capacity.[72]
Village demining
Clearance by village or informal deminers continues to occur on a wide scale
in Cambodia. Some individuals clear land for farming and to ensure the physical
and economic security of their families. Others hire a village deminer to clear
the land for them. Landmine Monitor researchers have met former members of
clearance agencies who are now engaged in this role. The debate on how to
address mine clearance activities by villagers has gone on since the early 1990s
and it remains unresolved.[73]
A pilot project by MAG and local authorities in Kamreang and Phnom Preuk
districts (Battambang province) is aimed at training, to the same standard as
MAG trains any deminer, people living in mine-affected communities. Forty
people were trained from January to August 2004. This “locality
demining” approach has many advantages including lower cost, better
management and injecting income to some of the poorest households in
mine-affected communities.[74]
From September 2004 to January 2005, a Handicap International-commissioned
study was undertaken to determine how mine action organizations could best
respond to village demining. The study was conducted by a team of four, led by
an anthropologist. The report, published in May 2005, questions the mine action
sector’s priorities and working methods, and recommends that village
demining be formally recognized as a legitimate and constructive component of
the mine action sector.[75]
The study generated considerable controversy and criticism in Cambodia,
especially from CMAC.[76]It also
suggested that a comprehensive effort be made to locate the land that has
already been demined by informal village deminers and to map it using GPS
technology. As one means of establishing the efficacy of informal
deminers’ work, appropriate survey techniques should be employed to
ascertain the number of incidents occurring on land previously demined by
informal village deminers. The study also recommended that land demined in this
way be included in the national database or in an adjunct to it, that
individuals be left free to demine their own land without restrictions, in the
absence of concrete commitments by the government and mine action sector to do
this, and that appropriate training and equipment be provided.
Mine Risk Education
Seven organizations were involved in mine risk education (MRE) in 2004.
CMAC, Cambodian Red Cross, HALO, MAG and World Vision continued to operate
programs similar to previous years, UNICEF continued to provide support, and
Save Cambodia’s Wildlife initiated a new project, Mine Risk Reduction and
Environmental Conservation.[77]These organizations reported providing MRE to some 600,000 people,
including repeat visits to those living in communities targeted for MRE in past
years.[78]
CMAA is responsible for coordinating MRE in Cambodia. In January 2004,
UNICEF funded a full-time MRE focal point within CMAA, and continued to provide
other support, including assistance to finalize the 2005-2009 MRE strategy. The
strategy aimed: to strengthen the capacity of affected communities to interact
with demining, victim assistance and community development programs; to
strengthen national coordination of MRE; to promote best practice through
increased integration of MRE within mine action; to integrate MRE into the
primary school curriculum.[79]
The International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) for mine risk education (MRE)
have been used in Cambodia as a guide to operations by individual MRE operators;
in June 2005, they were being translated. The development of Cambodian mine
action standards for MRE has not been seen as necessary and there are no plans
to develop these.[80]
In March 2005, CMAA noted that the changing pattern of mine and UXO
casualties has major implications for MRE in Cambodia. Mine casualties occur
mainly on the Thai-Cambodian border in the K5 belt region, while UXO casualties
occur elsewhere. Battambang remains the most highly affected province, but
Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom, Kampong Speu, Svay Rieng, Kandal and
Kratie also have a significant number of
casualties.[81 ]Boys aged 10 to 15
years and men aged 25 to 35 years are the most at-risk groups; 78 percent of UXO
incidents were from tampering or intentional
handling.[82]
During 2004 and 2005, CMAC supported MRE through a mass media campaign,
mobile mine awareness, Community-Based Mine Risk Reduction and an NGO
campaign.[83]The mass media
campaign, included the production of one TV spot, broadcast 320 times, and one
radio spot, aired 840 times, along with the installation of 26 new billboards in
eight provinces. CMAC estimates that 97 percent of Cambodian people have access
to television, and 76 percent have access to radios. CMAC believes providing
MRE through the media is effective for reinforcing messages, particularly in
provinces where a mine or UXO problem exists, but in which mine action does
not.[84]
CMAC operates six mobile mine awareness teams (each consisting of a team
leader, driver and two MRE instructors) that are deployed in response to
situational factors, such as sudden population movements to high-risk areas, or
increases in mine or UXO incidents.[85]In 2004 they visited 704 villages providing 814 presentations to 142,897
beneficiaries. Since 2001 CMAC has reduced the number of “standard”
risk education teams, and promoted the concept of community-based mine risk
reduction (CBMRR).[86]
CBMRR developed in recognition that many people living in mine contaminated
areas of Cambodia are often aware that they are undertaking dangerous practices,
but lack of land and other resource pressures force them to take
risks.[87]MRE needed to develop a
longer term community-oriented approach. It aims to reduce the number of UXO
and mine casualties by addressing the livelihood pressures that contribute to
risk-taking. [88]
The CBMRR team cooperates closely with CMAC MRE and technical risk reduction
teams and consists of 13 district focal points, one in each one of the CBMRR
target districts in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Pailin. The focal points
work in 99 mine/UXO-affected villages, supporting volunteers to form mine/UXO
committees. Through April 2005 there were 304 volunteer representatives, who
with committees at the commune and district levels, form the volunteer mine risk
reduction network. Participatory techniques are used to identify how mines and
UXO impact each targeted village; this information is used to prioritize
clearance plans and requests for development resources. Once areas for support
are identified, appropriate MRE services are requested. The CBMRR network also
provides mine/UXO related information to data collection services such as the
Cambodian Mine Victim Information System and the Mine Action Planning
Units.[89]Using this approach
945,234 square meters of land were cleared; demining agencies responding to
requests from the CBMRR network destroyed almost 6,000 mines and UXO in
2004.[90]The estimated annual cost
of the program is $342,000.[91]
In May 2004, CMAC established a new project, Community-Based UXO Risk
Reduction (CBURR), which operates in the same way as CBMRR but in areas
predominantly at risk from UXO. After a pilot project from May to October 2004,
CBURR is now fully functional in Ang Snuol (Kandal) and Chbar Mon (Kampong
Speu). Field visits were conducted to 5,353
households.[92]The anticipated
annual budget for the project is
$63,000.[93]
In 2004 through March 2005, 116 NGO staff working in mine/UXO-affected areas
received mine awareness training provided by
CMAC.[94]
During 2004, the Cambodian Red Cross continued its MRE program established
in 2000, providing MRE to 117,033 people in six provinces (Banteay Meanchey,
Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear and Pursat). This project
focused on promoting behavioral change amongst children and adolescents herding
livestock, and adults foraging for forest fruits and resources, while
strengthening the capacity of community leaders to promote MRE messages. The
annual program cost is approximately
US$100,000.[95]
HALO’s three-person team delivered MRE presentations in support of
minefield clearance throughout 2004. Presentations were given during the day to
schools and mother-and-child groups, and in the evening to adult males. The
team used a video-based presentation, which includes not only MRE, but also
public health issues and agricultural information. The MRE team also undertook
community liaison, highlighting how the community can facilitate clearance; for
example, by not removing markings or cultivating too close to the clearance
teams. During 2004, the team provided MRE messages to 26,424 residents of
mine-affected communities at an estimated annual cost of
$15,000.[96]HALO intends to
maintain this output for the coming
years.[97]
In 2004, MAG operated 11 community liaison teams, each made up of two
people. Six teams operate in Battambang region, covering Pailin and Pursat, and
five teams in Preah Vihear region. These teams made presentations to
approximately 14,000 people. Mine action teams also gave MRE presentations to
7,613 beneficiaries.[98]
World Vision conducted MRE aimed at integrating mine action and community
development structures. The organization undertakes infrastructure and
agricultural activities, and provides MRE to the villagers involved. In 2004,
the teams provided MRE to 5,112 villagers at an annual cost of around
$65,000.[99]
In 2005, with funding from CARE International, Save Cambodia’s
Wildlife established an MRE and environmental conservation project in the north.
This sought to provide village-based MRE as part of a wider environmental
educational program and support to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport at
the district and provincial levels. The anticipated budget for 2005 was
$38,000.[100]
In 2004, under the supervision of the ministry, 4,791 teachers from
government primary schools provided presentations in the 38 most UXO and
mine-affected districts to 219,878 primary school pupils. In addition, 5,010
trained students provided MRE to 11,763 out-of-school children and their
parents.[101]
Funding and Assistance
Thirteen countries and the European Commission (EC) reported contributing
approximately $41,652,918 for mine action in Cambodia in 2004. This is more
than double the funding Landmine Monitor reported for 2003 (some $17
million),[102]and more than CMAA
reports as mine action expenditure in
2004.[103]
The largest single increase in donor funding came from Japan, with a
six-fold increase. International donors included:
Australia: A$4,167,013 ($3,069,005) during its fiscal year, consisting of
A$2 million ($1,473,000) to CMAC, A$1,979,247 ($1,457,715.42) for integrated
mine action, and A$187,766 ($138,289.66) to MAG for a demining
machine;[104]
Belgium: €506,120 ($629,512), consisting of €401,120 ($498,913)
to CMAC for UXO clearance capacity building and €105,000 ($130,599)
estimated as an in-kind contribution of five technical advisors to
CMAC;[105]
Canada: C$3,608,929 ($2,772,472), consisting of C$249,372 ($191,574) to
Oxfam Quebec for landmine survivor vocational training, C$359,134 ($275,896) to
World Vision Canada for integrated mine action, C$374,437 ($287,652) to
GeoSpatial International for task assessment and planning, C$2,500,000
($1,920,565) to UNDP for agricultural development in mine-affected areas,
C$110,900 ($85,196) to MAG for two EOD teams, and C$15,086 ($11,589) for
survivor handicraft
enterprises;[106]
EC: €5,170,000 ($6,430,446) for mine clearance and
MRE;[107]
Finland: €1,020,000 ($1,268,676), consisting of €100,000
($124,380) to HI for a mine incident database, €670,000 ($833,346) to HALO
for mine clearance, and €250,000 ($310,950) to Finnish Church Aid for mine
clearance;[108]
France: €255,000 ($317,169), consisting of €55,000 ($68,409) for
training and €200,000 ($248,760) to CMAA for
demining;[109]
Germany: €670,000 ($833,346) to CMAA/CMAC for mine clearance in Seam
Reap and Oddar Meanchey;[110]
Japan: ¥2,021,100,000 ($18,687,933), consisting of ¥1,761,000,000
($16,282,940) for mine clearance, ¥63,400,000 ($586,223) and
¥45,800,000 ($423,486) for general funding, ¥75,400,000 ($697,180) to
HALO for mine clearance, and ¥75,500,000 ($698,104) to Japan Mine Action
Service from mine
clearance;[111]
Luxembourg: €40,000 ($49,752) for victim
assistance;[112]
Netherlands: €1,254,870.00 ($1,560,807), consisting of €689,435
($857,519) to NPA for mine clearance and € 565,435 ($703,288) to HALO for
mine clearance;[113]
New Zealand: NZ$352,408.00 ($234,104), consisting of NZ$89,681 ($59,575) to
CMAC through UNDP Trust Fund for demining, NZ$61,727 ($41,005) for victim
assistance to Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, and NZ$201,000
($133,524) to Cambodia Trust Fund, for rehabilitation
services;[114]
Norway: NOK2,700,000 ($400,599), consisting of NOK1,500,000 ($222,555) to
CMAC through UNDP, and NOK1,200,000 ($178,044) to Save the Children for mine
clearance around
schools;[115]
US: $3,766,000, consisting of $3,466,000 from the Department of State and
$300,000 from the Department of
Defense.[117]
CMAA estimated that in 2004 approximately $30 million was spent on mine
action in Cambodia. It reported the main recipients of funding as the mine
clearance organizations CMAC, HALO and MAG. RCAF carries out demining
activities using government funds supplied through budget support by
international development banks, the Chinese government and others, but the
amounts are not known.[118]
CMAC expenditure in 2004 was $9,238,577. It reports receiving donations
totaling $8,783,904 ($4,265,577 from UNDP Trust Fund; $4,380,185 from bilateral
donors; $138,142 from the government). Since 2001, UNDP contributions to CMAC
have declined (64 percent of CMAC funding in 2001; 48 percent in 2004), while
bilateral contributions have risen (35 percent in 2001; 49 percent in
2004).[119]
CMAC resources are also augmented by in-kind contributions. Japan provided
an in-kind contribution worth approximately $16 million to CMAC, which included
brush cutting, transport and protective equipment. The equipment was handed
over in June 2005.[120]Belgium,
New Zealand and Japan have provided technical
advisors.[121]
Landmine and UXO Casualties
In 2004, 898 new landmine and UXO casualties were reported in Cambodia: 171
people were killed and 727 injured; 547 were men, 74 were women and 277 were
children; 888 were civilians. This represents a significant increase (16
percent) over the 772 new landmine and UXO casualties (115 killed and 657
injured) reported in 2003.[122]Of the total survivors in 2004, 195 people (27 percent) required an
amputation. Landmines caused 340 casualties (38 percent), while 558 casualties
(62 percent) were caused by UXO; however, 87 percent of the children were killed
or injured by UXO.
Casualties continue to be reported in 2005: 594 new mine/UXO casualties were
recorded to the end of June; 124 people were killed and 470 injured. In March
2005, an explosion at an RCAF ammunitions depot in Battambang killed at least
six people, and injured more than 20
others.[123]
The mine/UXO casualty rate declined from 12 new casualties a day in 1996, to
an average of two casualties a day in 2004; a rate that has remained constant
since 2000. However, in the first six months of 2005 the rate increased again
to an average of over three casualties a
day.[124]
Information on mine/UXO casualties is collected from all provinces by a
network of Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) field staff; the data is then entered into
the Cambodia Mine UXO Victim Information System (CMVIS), implemented by CRC and
Handicap International.
The vast majority of mine casualties in 2004 were engaged in daily
livelihood activities such as farming, herding, clearing new land, fishing, and
collecting food and wood (54 percent) or traveling (26 percent) at the time of
the incident; whereas 58 percent of the UXO casualties were caused by tampering.
Casualties from mines occur mainly in the border area of Thailand and
Cambodia, near the K5 belt in the provinces of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey,
Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear and Pursat. Casualties from UXO are
scattered throughout the country with Battambang, Kampong Cham (on the
Vietnamese border), Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear and Pailin reporting the most
casualties.[125]Mine/UXO
casualties were reported in 22 of 24 provinces in 2004; 79 percent of the total
casualties were reported in seven provinces; most were in the province of
Battambang with 253 casualties (28 percent), followed by Banteay Meanchey with
134 (15 percent), Krong Pailin 98 (11 percent), Kampong Cham 76 (eight percent),
Oddar Meanchey 75 (eight percent), Pursat 39 (four percent) and Preah Vihear 34
(four percent).[126]
In 2004, CMVIS recorded 18 people killed or injured during mine clearance
activities. CMAC reported 12 deminers injured and HALO reported one injured
during clearance operations. One HALO demining supervisor was killed while
trying to open a TM-46 antivehicle mine away from a minefield; it is not known
why he was doing this.[127]
As of June 2005, the CMVIS database contained records on 66,611 mine/UXO
casualties since 1979: 20,254 people were killed and 46,357 injured (including
9,850 amputations); 52,027 were civilians.
Survivor Assistance
At the First Review Conference, Cambodia was identified as one of 24 States
Parties with significant numbers of mine survivors and with “the greatest
responsibility to act, but also the greatest needs and expectations for
assistance” in providing adequate services for the care, rehabilitation
and reintegration of
survivors.[128]
Cambodia submitted the voluntary Form J with its annual Article 7 report,
providing information on mine/UXO casualties and rehabilitation
services.[129]
In June 2005, as part of its commitment to the Nairobi Action Plan, Cambodia
presented some of its objectives for the period 2005-2009 to address the needs
of mine survivors. The plan of action will be developed, in coordination with
key actors, by the Disability Action Council within the framework of the
Strategic Direction on Disability and Rehabilitation
(SDDR).[130]Objectives for mine
victim assistance include: maintaining and coordinating a sustainable
information-gathering and referral network on mine/UXO casualties; assessing and
analyzing the situation of medical rehabilitation in order to develop guidelines
and strategies for the development of national planning; promoting the access of
more people with disabilities to physical rehabilitation centers; improving
standards and quality of rehabilitation centers; starting discussions to
development objectives and a plan to address the needs for psychological support
and social reintegration; improving access and follow-up to vocational training,
credit schemes and employment opportunities; promoting the participation of
people with disabilities in mainstream development programs; developing and
enacting effective legislation to protect the rights of mine survivors and other
persons with
disabilities.[131]
CMAA is responsible for the coordination and monitoring of mine victim
assistance; however, it has delegated responsibility to the Ministry of Social
Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation
(MoSVY)[132]and the Disability
Action Council.[133]CMAA’s
Victim Assistance Department developed a strategic plan for 2004 to 2009 for the
coordination of mine victim assistance provided by national institutions, local
and international NGOs; however, it has no budget to implement the
strategy.[134]
According to CMAA, there are more than 30 organizations (international and
national) active in Cambodia working to rehabilitate mine survivors and other
persons with disabilities. It is estimated that 11 percent of persons with
disabilities in Cambodia are mine survivors. NGOs are the main implementers,
providing physical rehabilitation and other support such as vocational training,
employment and small enterprise
development.[135]
Many mine survivors in Cambodia are among the very poorest in a very poor
country. Some do not have access to basic human needs like shelter, food,
health and education.[136]An
advisor, funded by Christian Blind Mission (CBM), liaises between the Ministry
of Health (MoH) and the MoSVY on disability issues. The objectives of the MoH
Health Sector Strategic Plan 2003-2007 include: improving coverage and access to
health services, especially to the poor and other vulnerable groups;
strengthening the delivery of high quality basic health services; introducing a
culture of quality in the public health services; ensuring a regular and
adequate flow of funds to the health sector, especially for service
delivery.[137]
First aid is available in government health centers at commune, district and
sometimes village levels, but many injuries require specialized treatment
including surgery. Incidents frequently occur in villages or forests remote
from health centers, and emergency first aid is provided by any available
villager. In December 2004, for example, the first medical care received by 79
new mine/UXO casualties was 31 percent at the commune health center, 11 percent
by a mine action agency, 11 percent treated themselves, nine percent at a
private clinic, seven percent at a provincial hospital, six percent at a
district or other hospital, and six percent was recorded as “other”;
19 percent reported no
assistance.[138]
Organizations identified as providing training in emergency first aid and
life support techniques include Norwegian NGO Trauma Care Foundation (TCF),
Catholic Relief Service and
CARE.[139]
Some organizations, including Emergency, CMAC, HALO, MAG, Jesuit Service
Cambodia (JS) and Cambodia Family Development Services, provide ambulances or
transport to hospital. The Cambodian Red Cross informs agencies about the
special needs of mine casualties in hospitals. In Banteay Meanchey, CRC refers
mine survivors requiring food assistance in hospital to JS, and the Cambodian
Association for Assistance to Family and Widows provides money for surgery. In
2004, JS assisted 61 mine/UXO casualties while in hospital.
Surgery for new mine casualties and for landmine survivors requiring
additional surgery is provided free of charge at the Emergency Surgical Center
in Battambang, and by the Sihanuok Hospital Center of Hope in Phnom Penh. The
Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, the government provincial and city
hospitals, and the Preah Ket Malea hospital also provide
surgery.[140]
The Mongkol Borei provincial hospital in Banteay Meanchey is the largest
best equipped government-run hospital in the region, and also serves people from
the provinces of Battambang, Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap; the hospital admits
around eight mine/UXO casualties each month. It has facilities for emergency
surgery and limited physiotherapy treatment. However, the hospital is
reportedly overcrowded and there is a need for repairs to the infrastructure.
Patients must pay a fee of 2,600 BAHT (about $66) before being admitted. If the
family can prove hardship, an equity fund is sometimes available to pay the
fee.[141]
The Italian NGO Emergency’s Ilaria Alpi Surgical Center in Battambang
provides surgical assistance free of charge to the victims of war including mine
casualties, and other reconstructive and general surgery. Emergency also
supports five first aid posts in the Samlot area and operates an ambulance
service from Samlot. On average it takes around one-and-a-half hours to
transport a mine casualty from Samlot in the ambulance to Battambang. In 2004,
Emergency treated 105 new mine casualties and 60 new UXO casualties. Emergency
also provided corrective surgery for 85 mine survivors and 15 UXO survivors.
Trauma casualties are admitted from several provinces, including Battambang,
Pailin, Pursat, Banteay Meanchey, Takeo, Siem Reap, Oddar Meanchey, Kampong Thom
and Phnom Penh.[142]
Physical rehabilitation services for landmine survivors are generally well
organized and of a good quality in Cambodia, particularly for amputees, even
though the needs remain immense. At the end of 2004 there were 11 physical
rehabilitation centers and orthopedic workshops covering 24 provinces in
Cambodia; a decrease from 14 in early 2003. According to service providers, the
principal reason for the decrease is reduced funding, but each closure was
analyzed to minimize the impact on survivors needing
assistance.[143]Landmine Monitor
researchers visited all provinces to assess how mine survivors accessed
rehabilitation services. Survivors reported difficulties in accessing
prosthetics in Stoeung Treng, Preah Vihear, Koh Kong and Kampong Thom.
Provincial officials from MoSVY also complained about the closure of some
services in Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom and Banteay Meanchey. At a meeting on 29
April 2005, Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Social Affairs, lamented not only the
closure of centers but also the reduction in the budgets of four NGOs who
produce prosthetics, and urged donors to consider funding the government to
carry on programs after international NGOs
left.[144]An evaluation of the
long-term sustainability of prosthetic and orthotic services in Cambodia is
planned for 2005.[145]For
several years, NGOs in the rehabilitation sector have reportedly been urging the
government to assume some financial responsibility for the operations of the
centers.
Five international organizations, including the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC), American Red Cross (ARC), Cambodia Trust (CT), Handicap
International (HI), and Veterans International (VI) supported the centers in
2004, in cooperation with MoSVY. MoSVY has a limited operational budget for
physical rehabilitation and is therefore dependent on international agencies.
As of June 2005, rehabilitation/orthopedic centers assisting mine survivors and
other persons with disabilities are located in the provinces of Battambang
(ICRC), Kampong Speu (ICRC), Siem Reap (HI), Kampong Cham (HI), Kratie (VI),
Sihanoukville (CT), Prey Veng (VI), Takeo (HI), Kampong Chhnang (CT), and two in
Phnom Penh (CT and VI). In 2004, rehabilitation centers closed in Kampong Thom
(HI; closed June 2004) and Preah Vihear (VI; closed October
2004).[146]
ICRC has introduced a new database which is now used by some of the Physical
Rehabilitation Centers to collect statistics related to services. The
statistics reveal that during 2004 26,513 people received services: 17 percent
were new patients; 28 percent were female; 39 percent were below 18 years; 9,654
physiotherapy assessments were made; nearly 98,000 treatments
given.[147]According to CMAA, 62
percent of people receiving physical rehabilitation services are mine
survivors.[148]
The ICRC physical rehabilitation program, run in agreement with MoSVY, has
two components: the Regional Physical Rehabilitation Center in Battambang and
the Orthopedic Component Factory in Phnom Penh. In 2004, MoSVY agreed to cover
20 percent of the utility costs and the cost of materials at the two facilities.
The rehabilitation center serves the provinces of Battambang, Pailin, Banteay
Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey and Pursat (north/northwest Cambodia). ICRC provides
physiotherapy, prosthetic/orthotic devices, walking aids, wheelchairs,
accommodation and meals free of charge, and reimburses between 80 and 100
percent of travel costs to the center. On-the-job training is provided to
physiotherapists and orthopedic technicians. The center also operates a mobile
clinic, which travels from Battambang to the northwestern provinces to carry out
on-the-spot repairs and follow-up of amputees. In 2004, 25 outreach visits were
conducted; 2,750 people were assessed, 1,619 prostheses were repaired, and 1,047
amputees were referred to the center to have their prostheses replaced. In
2004, the Regional Rehabilitation Center produced 1,494 prostheses (1,363 for
mine survivors) and 732 orthoses (14 for mine survivors), and distributed 2,797
crutches and 289 wheelchairs. ICRC also conducted refresher courses for
prosthetic/orthotic technicians from Cambodia Trust and Veterans
International.[149]
The ICRC Orthopedic Component Factory in Phnom Penh continues to provide
components and walking aids free of charge to all orthopedic centers nationwide.
Components and walking aids produced include feet, hands, knees, alignment
systems, orthotic joints, elbow joints, hooks and crutches. In 2004, the
factory produced 12,330 components for orthopedic devices and over 8,000 walking
aids.[150]
The American Red Cross provided physiotherapy, prosthetic and orthotic
devices, crutches and wheelchairs for mine survivors and other persons with
disabilities at the Kampong Speu Rehabilitation Center until December 2004. ARC
also provided on-the-job training to Cambodian staff and an outreach service to
people living in remote areas. In 2004, ARC fitted 541 prostheses and
distributed 81 wheelchairs. About 40 percent of people receiving rehabilitation
services at the center are mine/UXO
survivors.[151]In January 2005,
ICRC assumed responsibility for the Kampong Speu Rehabilitation Center, after
renovating it in late
2004.[152]
Cambodia Trust supports physical rehabilitation services at centers in Phnom
Penh, Sihanoukville and Kampong Chhnang providing physiotherapy services,
producing and fitting prostheses and orthoses, and distributing wheelchairs. In
2004, the centers assisted 6,031 people, about 60 percent were mine survivors,
produced 774 prostheses, and distributed 154 wheelchairs and one tricycle. CT
operates an outreach program to reach persons with disabilities in remote areas,
providing referrals for medical and surgical services, community-based
rehabilitation, and raising awareness on disability issues. CT also runs an
outreach training project to facilitate access to training, education,
employment opportunities, and provides small grants and access to micro-credit
loan programs to establish small
businesses.[153]
The CT rehabilitation center in Phnom Penh is also a teaching clinic for the
Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics (CSPO) to provide technical
training in prosthetics/orthotics for Cambodia and the region. Each year 12 new
students start a three-year training program, including students from
Afghanistan, East Timor, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Georgia and Sri Lanka. CSPO is one of only four Category II training centers in
the world.[154]
Handicap International runs programs in physical rehabilitation,
socioeconomic reintegration, data collection, capacity-building and awareness
raising on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities. In 2004, HI
supported rehabilitation centers in Kampong Cham, Siem Reap, Takeo and Kampong
Thom (until June 2004), providing physiotherapy services, prosthetics and other
assistive devices, an outreach program, and on-the job-training for technicians
and physiotherapists. In 2004, HI assisted more than 6,492 people with
disabilities, and HI-supported centers produced 1,050 prostheses, and
distributed 1,260 crutches, 224 wheelchairs and 126 tricycles. HI’s
community-based rehabilitation programs focus on medical follow-up, psychosocial
support, alleviating poverty, and the socioeconomic reintegration of persons
with disabilities through self-help groups, referrals to vocational training
programs, and a small grants program. HI also supports two sports clubs for
persons with disabilities in Battambang and Siem Reap, and supports the
government-run Para-Tetra Rehabilitation Center, a spinal cord injury
rehabilitation unit, in
Battambang.[155]
Veterans International operates three rehabilitation centers, including the
Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Center in Phnom Penh, and centers in the
provinces of Kratie and Prey Veng; a small center in Preah Vihear closed in
October 2004. The centers provide physiotherapy services, production and
fitting of prosthetic and orthotic devices, and wheelchairs and other assistive
devices. The program includes community-based rehabilitation, outreach teams
and referrals to other services. In 2004, VI assisted 2,001 people, including
993 mine survivors, produced 747 prostheses and 332 wheelchairs, and distributed
47 tricycles.[156]In March 2004,
VI moved its wheelchair production unit to a business park, with the aim of
transitioning production into the private sector within the next two years. VI
supported a silk weaving workshop in Preah Vihear, employing about 50 disabled
people. In 2005, the silk weaving income generation project was turned over to
a silk weaver and textile designer, who is now running the former VI project as
a successful business while keeping people with disability employed. VI
supported the Sports for Life volleyball project through 2003, which is now
operating as a local NGO with its own
funding.[157]
Association for Aid and Relief, Japan (AAR Japan) operates the Wheelchair
Production Service and the Kien Khleang Vocational Training Center in Phnom
Penh. The Vocational Training Center provides one-year training programs for
people with disabilities from Phnom Penh and nine surrounding provinces.
Training is provided in basic literacy, TV/radio repair, motorcycle repair and
sewing. In 2004, AAR Japan produced and distributed 330 wheelchairs (eight for
mine survivors), and 50 people received training, including 18 mine
survivors.[158]
Jesuit Service Cambodia produces wheelchairs that are specially designed for
local conditions. In 2004, 1,030 wheelchairs and 51 tricycles were produced. JS
wheelchairs and tricycles are distributed by ARC, ICRC, HI and CT; JS
distributed 240 wheelchairs and 42 tricycles in 2004. JS also provides
vocational training at Banteay Prieb (Center of the Dove) residential school.
In 2004, 125 students with disabilities, including 45 mine survivors, undertook
one-year courses in agriculture, sculpture, carpentry, electronic repair,
machine repair, weaving, tailoring and literacy. JS also works with 236 people
with a disability in Siem Reap province, in 178 villages in Rottanak Mondol,
Battambang, O Chrov and Thmar Puok in Banteay Meanchey, 13 villages in Oddar
Meanchey and in the old Khmer Rouge areas of Kandal. Metta Karuna teams, which
include several mine survivors, provide psychosocial support to villagers and
assists them in planning programs for their health and well-being. The program
includes housing, water access, emergency food, schooling assistance for
children, and access to health services and markets through bridges and
roads.[159]
Disability Development Services Pursat (DDSP) provides physical
rehabilitation services, including physiotherapy, wheelchairs and other
assistive devices, and referral to other services, in six villages in remote
areas in the province of Pursat. DDSP also provides psychosocial support,
facilitates access to education for children and vocational training, and raises
awareness on disability issues. In 2004, it directly assisted 113 people; 43
were mine survivors. DDSP receives funding from the AusAID Community
Development Fund, Christian Blind Mission, HI and private
donors.[160]
The Khmer Buddhist Association supports vulnerable groups including persons
with disabilities, widows and children in the provinces of Oddar Meanchey and
Banteay Meanchey. It assists more than 1,000 people a year, including some mine
survivors, with facilitating access to physical rehabilitation (including
prosthetics), vocational training, share crops and emergency aid if needed.
Small grants are also available to start a
business.[161]
The Cambodian War Amputees Rehabilitation Society program offers landmine
survivors and other persons with disabilities training in income generating
trades and services, including bicycle repair, barbering, motorcycle and small
engine repairs, small electrical equipment repairs, sewing and tailoring, ladies
hairdressing, blacksmithing, home gardening and basic agriculture. Graduates of
the program are assisted to establish their own micro-enterprises, enabling them
to achieve self-confidence and independence. In 2004, 843 men and women with
disabilities benefited from the program; 638 were mine
survivors.[162]
According to CMAA, MoSVY and NGO partners support nine vocational training
centers that assist persons with disabilities. In 2004, a total of 916 persons
with disabilities graduated from these
centers.[163]Other
organizations/agencies identified as promoting the socioeconomic reintegration
of mine survivors through skills and business training, micro credit and job
placement, include the Angkor Association for the Disabled, Artisans Association
of Cambodia, Business Advisory Council, Cambodian Demining Workshop, Cambodian
Handicraft Association for Landmine and Polio Disabled, Clear Path
International, Cambodian Volunteers for Community Development, Children Affected
by Mines, Marynoll, National Center of Disabled Persons, RehabCraft Cambodia,
Virakpheap Komar Pailin, World Rehabilitation Fund and World Vision. Several
organizations report a lack of funding for
programs.[164]
The Disability Action Council lists many other organizations assisting mine
survivors and other persons with disabilities through self-help groups,
community-based assistance, referral systems, education, counseling, vocational
training and outreach, including Action for Disability and Development, American
Friends Service Committee, Arrupe Center Battambang, Cambodian Disabled Peoples
Association, Caritas Cambodia, Operation Enfants de Battambang; Servants,
Krousar Thmey, Marist Mission Australia, Help Age International and Social
Services of Cambodia.[165]
Several NGOs are taking a “development approach” to survivor
assistance, whereby mine survivors are assisted along with other members of the
community. The aim is, after mine clearance activities, to provide land for the
planting of crops, roads, bridges, wells for water, a school, a healthcare
facility and some income generating assistance. Agencies working in this
integrated development approach include CARE, AUSTCARE, World Vision, Lutheran
World Federation and JS.
Two landmine survivors from Cambodia participated in the Survivors Summit
and First Review Conference in Nairobi in November-December 2004.
Disability Policy and Practice
Cambodia does not have legislation protecting the rights of persons with
disabilities even though a law was drafted in
2000.[166]In 2004, MoSVY
established a working group to redraft the Law on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities. In January 2005 the Disability Action Council sent a new revised
“Draft Legislation on Rights of People with Disabilities” to MoSVY
for further consideration and action. The draft law consists of 13 chapters and
68 articles. The draft has been officially submitted to the Council of
Ministers for
consideration.[167]
The Disability Action Council is a semi-autonomous national coordinating
body on disability and rehabilitation. Its main role is to coordinate and
initiate services and assistance for and with people with disabilities in
Cambodia.[168]
[1]The law bans the production,
use, possession, transfer, trade, sale, import and export of antipersonnel
mines. It provides for criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment for
offences committed by civilians or members of the police and the armed forces.
It also provides for the destruction of mine stockpiles.
[2]Statement by Deputy Prime
Minister Sok An, Nairobi Summit on a Mine-Free World (First Review Conference),
Nairobi, 2 December 2004.
[3]Presentation by Song Kosal,
ICBL Youth Ambassador, First Review Conference, Nairobi, 29 November 2004.
[4]Both the Prime Minister and
Deputy Prime Minister Sok An made statements to the National Conference on Mine
Action Achievements 1992-2004 of Cambodia, 28 April 2005.
[5]The previous Article 7 reports
were submitted on: 30 April 2004; 15 April 2003; 19 April 2002; 30 June 2001; 26
June 2000 (this report covers the period from 1993 to 26 June 2000).
[6]Interview with Sam Sotha,
Secretary General, CMAA, Geneva, 16 June 2005.
[7]Article 7 Report, Form E, 22
April 2005. In the 1970s, Cambodia manufactured one type of antipersonnel
landmine, the KN-10 Claymore-type mine, and various forces manufactured
home-made mines in the past.
[8]See Landmine Monitor Report
2000, pp. 382-383.
[9]See Landmine Monitor
Report 1999, p. 391, for annual destruction totals.
[10]Article 7 Report, Form B, 26
June 2000.
[11]Article 7 Report, Form F, 30
April 2004.
[12]Article 7 Report, Forms D
and F, 22 April 2005.
[13]For details, see Landmine
Monitor Report 2004, p. 248.
[14]Article 7 Report, Form G, 22
April 2005. In previous years, all the mines were destroyed by CMAC, including:
8,739 in 2000; 7,357 in 2001; 13,509 in 2002; 9,207 in 2003. These numbers match
revised totals provided to Landmine Monitor last year by CMAA after inquiries
about inconsistencies in Article 7 reporting. See Landmine Monitor Report
2004, p. 248.
[15]Email from Richard Boulter,
Programme Manager, HALO Cambodia, to Denise Coghlan, CCBL, 19 August 2005. He
indicated funding for the project came from the US Department of State.
[16]Article 7 Report, Form D, 22
April 2005.
[17]Article 7 Report, Form D, 22
April 2005.
[18]Article 7 Report, Form D, 22
April 2005. In addition, 348 mines were transferred to CMAC from MCTU/UNTAC in
1993, 236 from CMAC PMU Siem Reap in 1998, 272 from CMAC EOD Preah Vihear in
1999, 546 from CMAC DU2 in 1999, 52 from CMAC HQ Phnom Penh in 2000, and 423
from CMAC DU6 Siem Reap in 2001.
[19]Article 7 Report Form F, 22
April 2005. Other types of mine found in Cambodia include KN-10, M-62, M14,
M16A1, M18A1, MBV-78-A1, MBV-78-A2, MD-82-B, MDH-10, MDH-2, MDH-3, MDH-5, MDH-7,
MIN, MN, MODEL, MON, NOMZ2B, OMZ-3, OMZ-4, OMZ-72, P-40 BALL, PMA-2, PMA-3,
POMZ-2, PPMI-SR, PPM-2, PSM-1 and Type 66. US Department of Defense, Mine Facts
CD-ROM, Version 1.2.
[20]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004, p. 3.
[21]Cambodia Mine/UXO Victim
Information System (CMVIS), “Monthly Mine/UXO Report,” January
2005.
[22]Email to Landmine Monitor
(HI) from Chhiv Lim, Project Manager, CMVIS, 1 August 2005. See section on
Landmine and UXO Casualties.
[23]Email from Richard Boulter,
HALO Cambodia, 19 August 2005.
[24]“RCAF Explosion May Be
Sabotage,” Cambodia Daily, 28 April 2005, p. 12.
[25]“Cambodia's RCAF
identifies causes of ammunition explosion,” People’s Daily
Online, 4 April 2005.
[26]HALO Trust, “Annual
Report 2004, for submission to the CMAA,” 21 January 2005, p. 7.
[27]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 251.
[28]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004, p. 4.
[29]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 6.
[30]The Cambodian government has
embarked on a series of major infrastructure projects in the northwest of the
country, which require mine clearance operations. For details of Land Use
Planning Units, see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 252.
[31]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 29.
[32]Australia Volunteers
International (AVI) Information Sheet, April 2005.
[33]Interview with Clare
Brazenor, Project Advisor for MAPU, AVI, 29 April 2005.
[34]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 29.
[35]SEILA is an acronym for
socioeconomic improvement of local area, a government program designed to
support the country’s decentralization and “deconcentration”
reforms. “The Seila Program is an aid mobilization and coordination
framework for support to Cambodia's decentralization and de-concentration
reforms,” www.seila.gov.kh.
[36]Interview with Clare
Brazenor, AVI, 29 April 2005.
[37]CMAA, “Cambodian
Strategy and 2005-2009 Plan, presented to Nairobi Summit,” 26 January
2005, p. 3, www.cmac.org.kh/FiveYearStrategic.htm.
[38]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 47.
[39]Royal Government of
Cambodia, Decision No. 29 S.S.R. on The Implementation of Cambodian Mine Action
Standards (CMAS) First Five Chapters, 10 August 2005, p. 2; email from Sam
Sotha, Secretary General, CMAA, 10 August 2005.
[40]Royal Government of
Cambodia, Decision No. 29 S.S.R. on The Implementation of Cambodian Mine Action
Standards (CMAS) First Five Chapters, 10 August 2005, Article 3.
[41]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 26.
[42]UNDP, “Terms of
Reference, Webmaster - CMAA, Project 00011828 - Support to Mine Action
Programs,” www.un.org.kh/undp accessed 22 August 2005.
[43]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004. Co-funded by
Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, UNICEF and UNDP.
[44]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004, p. 3.
[45]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004, p. 3.
[46]Serco Assurance, “A
Risk Strategy for Mine Action,” September 2003,
www.itep.ws/pdf/ risk_strategy?dfif.pdf.
[47]HALO, “Annual Report
2004 for submission to the CMAA,” 21 January 2005, p. 6; email from Tom
Dibb, Desk Officer, HALO, 18 September 2005.
[48]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004, pp. 4-5.
[49]Bjorn Gildestad,
“Cost-benefit Analysis of Mine Clearance Operations in Cambodia,”
Nordic Consulting Group, February 2005, conducted for CMAA and UNDP, quoted in
“Clearing for Results,” article released by UNDP in Phnom Penh on 28
July 2005.
[50]Article 7 Report (for
calendar year 2003), Form C, 30 April 2004.
[51]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 13.
[52]Email from Richard Boulter,
HALO Cambodia, 2 September 2005.
[53]Email from Tom Dibb, HALO,
18 September 2005.
[54]Article 7 Report, Form I, 22
April 2005.
[55]Article 7 Report (for
calendar year 2004), Form I, 22 April 2005.
[56]CMAC, “Annual Report
2004,” 28 April 2005, p. 17.
[57]Interview with Sam Sotha,
Secretary General, CMAA, at Standing Committee meetings, Geneva, 15 June 2005;
interview with Sam Sotha, CMAA, Phnom Penh, 23 August 2005.
[58]Interview with Sam Sotha,
Secretary General, CMAA, 23 August 2005.
[59]Article 7 Report, Form F and
Annex 4, 22 April 2005.
[60]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, pp. 252-253.
[61]Article 7 Report, Form F and
Annex 4, 22 April 2005.
[62]Form G reports that CMAC
destroyed 33,602 antipersonnel mines in mined areas; HALO:16,447; MAG: 4,906.
Only the RCAF total is the same in Forms F and G: 1,133. This indicates that
there was additional stockpile destruction of over 15,000 antipersonnel mines.
Figures for destruction of antivehicle mines are similarly skewed.
[63]Article 7 Report, Form F and
Annex 4, 22 April 2005.
[64]CMAC, “Annual Report
2004,” 28 April 2005, pp. iii-vii, 13, 32.
[65]Email from Krishna Uk,
Program Officer, NPA Cambodia, 7 June 2005; Richard Moyes, “Tampering:
deliberate handling and use of live ordnance in Cambodia,” Phnom Penh,
2004.
[66]Email from Krishna Uk, NPA
Cambodia, 7 June 2005.
[67]HALO, “Annual Report
2004, for submission to the CMAA,” 21 January 2005, pp. 1-8.
[68]Email from Tom Dibb, HALO,
18 September 2005.
[69]Information provided by
Rupert Leighton, Country Manager, MAG Cambodia, 25 August 2005.
[70]RCAF, “Report to Mine
Action Achievements Conference,” 28 April 2005.
[71]GICHD, “The Role of
the Military in Mine Action,” Geneva, 2003, p. 68, www.gichd.ch.
[72]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, 4 December 2004, p. 4.
[73]For more details, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2001, p. 446, and Landmine Monitor Report
2004, p. 257.
[74]Email from Tim Carstairs,
MAG, 5 October 2004; information provided by Rupert Leighton, Country Manager,
MAG Cambodia, 25 August 2005.
[75]Michael L. Fleisher,
“Informal Village Demining in Cambodia an Operational Study,” HI,
Phnom Penh, May 2005.
[76]See, for instance, email to
wider mine action community from Heng Rattana, Deputy Director, CMAC, 11 May
2005.
[77]Email from Chan Rotha, MRE
Focal Point CMAA, 24 June 2005.
[78]Email from Sam Sotha,
Secretary General, CMAA, 15 January 2005.
[79]CMAA “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, pp. 3-5.
[80]Email from Chan Rotha, CMAA,
24 June 2005.
[81 ]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 14.
[82]Richard Moyes,
“Tampering: deliberate handling and use of live ordnance in
Cambodia,” Phnom Penh 2004, p. 14. Another source reported that, in
2004, 58 percent of casualties were due to tampering with UXO. Chiv Lim,
Project Manager, CMVIS, 1 August 2005.
[83]CMAA, “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 10.
[84]Email from Sam Sotha,
Secretary General, CMAA, 15 January 2005.
[85]Email from Chan Rotha, CMAA,
24 June 2005.
[86]CMAC, “Annual Report
2004,” 28 April 2005, p. 7.
[87]CMAC, “Annual Report
2004,” 28 April 2005, p. 7.
[88]CMAC website, www.cmac.org.kh/Activities_Awareness.htm, accessed 22 June
2005. The CBMRR project began in October 2001, implemented by CMAC, with
technical assistance from HI and UNICEF. Email from Chan Rotha, CMAA, 24 June
2005.
[89]Email from Chan Rotha, ,
CMAA, 24 June 2005.
[90]CMAC, “Annual Report
2004,” 28 April 2005, p. 8.
[91]CMAA, “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 7.
[92]CMAC, “Annual Report
2004,” 28 April 2005, p. 10.
[93]CMAA, “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 9.
[94]Email from Chan Rotha, CMAA,
1 September 2005.
[95]CMAA, “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 8.
[96]HALO, “Annual Report
2004 for submission to the CMAA,” 21 January 2005, p. 4.
[97]CMAA, “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 10.
[98]Information provided by
Rupert Leighton, Country Manager, MAG Cambodia, 25 August 2005.
[99]CMAA, “Cambodia Mine
Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 9.
[100]CMAA, “Cambodia
Mine Risk Education Strategy (2005-2009),” 10 November 2004, p. 10.
[101]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 49.
[102]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 260.
[103]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 6.
[104]Email from Doug Melvin,
AusAID, 17 June 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = A$0.7365 used
throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates
(Annual),” 3 January 2005. Differences exist between Australian funding
reported for the fiscal year July 2004 to June 2005, and Australia’s 2004
Article 7 Report, 3 May 2005, which reports for the 2004 calendar year.
[105]Article 7 Report, Form J,
2 May 2005.
[106]Mine Action Investments
database; emails from Elvan Isikozlu, Mine Action Team, Foreign Affairs Canada,
June-August 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: US$1 = C$1.3017, used
throughout this report. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates
(Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[107]EC, “Contribution
to the Landmine Monitor 2005,” by email from Nicola Marcel, RELEX Unit 3a
Security Policy, EC, 19 July 2005.
[108]Mine Action Investments
database. Email from Teemu Sepponen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 13 July
2005.
[109]Emails from Amb. Gerard
Chesnel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 30 June 2005, and from Anne Villeneuve,
HI, July-August 2005.
[110]Article 7 Report, Form J,
15 April 2005; email from Dirk Roland Haupt, Federal Foreign Office, Division
241, 25 July 2005.
[111]Email from Kitagawa Yasu,
Japanese International Campaign to Ban Landmines (JCBL), 10 August 2005, with
translation of Ministry of Foreign Affairs information sent to JCBL 11 May 2005.
Average exchange rate for 2004: ¥108.15 =US$1. US Federal Reserve,
“List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[112]Email from
François Berg, Disarmament Desk, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2 August
2005.
[113]Email from Freek Keppels,
Arms Control and Arms Export Policy Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 4
August 2005.
[114]Letter from Charlotte
Darlow, Disarmament Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 20 April
2005, and email from Jane Coster, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New
Zealand, 11 August 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = NZ$0.6643. US
Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January
2005.
[115]Article 7 Report, Form J,
28 April 2005; emails from May-Elin Stener, Department for Global Affairs,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, April-May 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1
= NOK6.7399. US Federal Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),”
3 January 2005.
[116]Letter from Alf Eliasson,
SIDA, 23 March 2005. Average exchange rate for 2004: $1 = SEK7.4380. US Federal
Reserve, “List of Exchange Rates (Annual),” 3 January 2005.
[117]USG Historical Chart
containing data for FY 2004, by email from Angela L. Jeffries, Financial
Management Specialist, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, US Department of
State, 20 July 2005.
[118]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 6. In June 2005, Cambodia also
stated its future annual mine action funding requirement as being US$30 million,
including $29 million for operators and $1 million for CMAA. Presentation by
Cambodia, Standing Committee on Mine Clearance, Mine Risk Education and Mine
Action Technologies, Geneva, 14 June 2005.
[119]CMAC, “Annual
Report 2004,” 28 April 2005, p. 6.
[120]“Japan Gives
Cambodia Equipment for Mine Clearance,” Vietnam News Agency,
06/28/2005; “Remarks at the Donation Ceremony of Mine Clearing Equipments
from the Government of Japan to CMAC,” Cambodia New Vision, http://www.cnv.org.kh/, accessed 10 September
2005; Robert Griffin and Robert Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action
in Cambodia for the Donor Working Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom
Penh, p. 14.
[121]Robert Griffin and Robert
Keeley, “Joint Evaluation of Mine Action in Cambodia for the Donor Working
Group on Mine Action,” Volume I, Phnom Penh, p. 14.
[122]Unless otherwise stated,
information in this section was provided in email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from
Chiv Lim, Project Manager, CMVIS, 1 August 2005.
[123]“RCAF Explosion
May Be Sabotage,” Cambodia Daily, 28 April 2005, p. 12;
“Cambodia's RCAF identifies causes of ammunition explosion,”
People's Daily Online, 4 April 2005.
[124]For more details, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 262.
[125]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 13.
[126]CMVIS, “Monthly
Mine/UXO Victim Information Report: June 2005,” p. 6.
[127]CMAC, “Annual
Report 2004,” 28 April 2005; HALO Trust, “Annual Report 2004 for
submission to the CMAA,” 21 January 2005.
[128]United Nations, Final
Report, First Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on Their Destruction, Nairobi, 29 November-3 December 2004,
APLC/CONF/2004/5, 9 February 2005, p. 33.
[129]Article 7 Report, Form J,
22 April 2005.
[130]For more information on
SDDR, see www.dac.org.kh/strategic-dir/index.htm.
[131]Presentation by Cambodia,
Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration,
Geneva, 16 June 2005; response by Cambodia to the co-chairs of the Standing
Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration Questionnaire,
June 2005.
[132]Formerly the Ministry of
Social Affairs, Labor, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation.
[133]CMAA, “Mine Action
Achievements 1992-2004,” 31 March 2005, p. 50.
[134]Interview with Kuon
Pheng, Director, Victim Assistance Department, Victim Assistance Department,
CMAA, Phnom Penh, 22 March 2005; see Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p.
271.
[135]The estimate is based on
a 1999 survey reported in CMAA, “Mine Action Achievement 1992-2004,”
31 March 2005, p. 49; see also statement by Sam Sotha, Secretary-General, CMAA,
to meeting on victim assistance, Phnom Penh, 10 March 2004.
[136]Presentation by Cambodia,
Standing Committee on Victim Assistance and Socio-Economic Reintegration,
Geneva, 16 June 2005.
[137]Ministry of Health,
“Health Sector Strategic Plan: 2003-2007,” August 2002, p. 9.
[138]CMVIS, “Monthly
Mine/UXO Victim Information Report: December 2004.”
[139]For more information, see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 265.
[140]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 265.
[141]Interview with Or Kanal,
Chief Administrator, provincial hospital, Mongkol Borei, 17 March 2005.
[142]Interview with Ognjen
Predja, Program Coordinator, Emergency, Battambang, 30 March 2005; see also
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 266.
[143]For more information see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 266.
[144]Ith Sam Heng, Minister of
Social Affairs, speech at National Mine Action Achievements Conference, Phnom
Penh, 28 April 2005.
[145]Interview with Edith van
Wijngaarden, Coordinator, Rehabilitation Department, HI Cambodia, Phnom Penh, 21
March 2005.
[146]Email from Larrie Warren,
VVAF, 16 September 2004; email from Edith van Wijngaarden, Coordinator,
Rehabilitation Department, HI Cambodia, 17 September 2004.
[147]“Physical
Rehabilitation Center Statistics Report 2004,” May 2005, compiled by Edith
van Wijngaarden, Coordinator, Rehabilitation Department, HI Cambodia.
[148]CMAA, “Annual
Report on Victim Assistance 2004,” prepared by Kuon Pheng, Director of
Victim Assistance Department, 15 March 2005.
[149]ICRC Special Report,
“Mine Action 2004,” Geneva, July 2005, p. 25; ICRC Physical
Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Geneva, June 2005, p.
44.
[150]ICRC Special Report,
“Mine Action 2004,” Geneva, July 2005, p. 25; ICRC Physical
Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Geneva, June 2005, p.
25.
[151]“Physical
Rehabilitation Center Statistics Report 2004,” May 2005, compiled by Edith
van Wijngaarden, HI Cambodia; see also Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p.
267.
[152]ICRC Special Report,
“Mine Action 2004,” Geneva, June 2005, p. 25; ICRC Physical
Rehabilitation Program, “Annual Report 2004,” Geneva, July 2005, p.
25.
[153]“Physical
Rehabilitation Center Statistics Report 2004,” May 2005, compiled by Edith
van Wijngaarden, HI Cambodia; response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Pith
Sokra, Administration Manager, CT, 27 March 2005; see also Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 267; Standing Tall Australia and Mines Action Canada,
“101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine
Survivors,” June 2005, p. 25.
[154]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 268; see also “The Cambodia Trust: Prosthetics &
Orthotics Training,” www.cambodiatrust.com/training.htm,
accessed 31 July 2005.
[155]Email from Edith van
Wijngaarden, Rehabilitation Department Coordinator, HI Cambodia, 19 September
2005; response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Bruno Leclercq, Country
Director, HI Cambodia, 1 May 2005; HI, “Quarterly Financial and Narrative
Report: 1 October-31 December 2004,” Ref.30/12/04 Issue 4; see also
Standing Tall Australia and Mines Action Canada, “101 Great Ideas for the
Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, pp. 31-33; See
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 268.
[156]“Physical
Rehabilitation Center Statistics Report 2004,” May 2005, compiled by Edith
van Wijngaarden, HI Cambodia; response to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Hing
Chanrith, Country Representative, VI, 19 March 2005.
[157]Email from Larrie Warren,
Director of Post Conflict Rehabilitation, VVAF, 21 September 2005; see
Landmine Monitor Report 2004, p. 268; see also “101 Great Ideas for
the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, p. 36.
[158]Interview with Daisuke
Sagiya, Country Representative, AAR Japan, Phnom Penh, 23 March 2005; response
to Landmine Monitor Questionnaire by Daisuke Sagiya, Country Representative, AAR
Japan, 8 March 2005.
[159]“Jesuit Service
Report,” December 2004; email to Landmine Monitor (HI) from Denise Coghlan
and Ny Nhar, Jesuit Service Cambodia, 11 August 2005; Landmine Monitor (HI)
interview with Denise Coghlan and Ny Nhar, Phnom Penh, 22 March 2005.
[160]Response to Landmine
Monitor Questionnaire by Steve Harknett, Advisor, DDSP, 28 June 2005; see also
“101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine
Survivors,” June 2005, p. 30.
[161]Landmine Monitor (HI)
interview with Tuy Sakoeun, Program Coordinator, KBA, Thmar Puok, 17 March
2005.
[162]Landmine Monitor (HI)
interview with Dr. David G. Aston and Sam Oeurn Pok, Managing Directors, CWARS,
Phnom Penh, 23 March 2005; see also “101 Great Ideas for the
Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine Survivors,” June 2005, pp. 27-28.
[163]CMAA, “Annual
Report on Victim Assistance 2004,” prepared by Kuon Pheng, Director of
Victim Assistance Department, CMAA, 15 March 2005.
[164]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, pp. 269-270; see also Standing Tall Australia and Mines Action
Canada, “101 Great Ideas for the Socio-Economic Reintegration of Mine
Survivors,” June 2005, pp. 24, 26, 29, 35, 37-42.
[165]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, pp. 269-270.
[166]See Landmine Monitor
Report 2004, p. 272.
[167]CMAA, “Annual
Report on Victim Assistance 2004,” prepared by Kuon Pheng, Director of
Victim Assistance Department, CMAA, 15 March 2005; email from Ngy San, Program
Manager, DAC, 23 August 2005.
[168]Response by Ngy San,
Program Manager, DAC, 18 April 2005; for more information, see Landmine
Monitor Report 2004, p. 272.