Australia helps clear landmines in Cambodia

The Australian government will provide 12 million Australian dollars (9.7 million U.S. dollars) to help clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia.

Announcing the major funding to mark International Mine Action Day, Australia's Special Representative on Mine Action and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Greg Hunt said Wednesday the funding would help to clear explosives from millions of square km of land across affected areas in Cambodia.

"Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily mined countries with up to 6 million landmines estimated to be scattered throughout the country," Hunt said in a statement.

According to the United Nations, close to 6 million of Cambodia's rural poor are affected by mines.

Australia's funding to be disbursed over four years will help to continue the already good work of the landmine clearance program in Cambodia and allow de-mining teams to continue their clearance work, Hunt said. .

Australia has committed around 50 million dollars (40 million U. S. dollars) to mine action-related activities in Cambodia since 1996, according to Hunt.

Meanwhile, Australia has pledged 75 million dollars (60 million U.S. dollars) over five years to 2010 for global mine action activities, he said.

Source: Xinhua .