While trying to expand its garden last Friday, a high school in northeastern Cambodia was forced to temporarily close after an unexpected discovery on its grounds: thousands of unexploded weapons. The Queen Kosomak High School, which more than 1,000 students attend, had over 2,000 devices buried in the soil. This startling find highlights the ongoing issue of unexploded weapons in Cambodia and the dangers they pose to the population.
The recently unearthed explosives, including grenades and anti-tank launchers covered in rust, are remnants from Cambodia’s civil war that ended two decades ago. The compound, which currently serves as a school, was previously used as a munitions warehouse during the Khmer Rouge regime in the 1970s. Mistakenly believed to have been cleared of explosives, the discovery underscores the need for comprehensive and diligent demining efforts.
Cambodia is not alone in grappling with the remnants of past conflicts. Across Southeast Asia, countries like Vietnam and Laos are engaged in prolonged campaigns to clear unexploded landmines and cluster munitions from the Vietnam War era. This global issue continues to be a concern as these weapons persist in use elsewhere, potentially affecting future generations.
Despite international treaties banning the use of landmines and cluster munitions, these indiscriminate weapons still feature in recent conflicts around the world. Myanmar, for instance, witnessed the tragic consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance, with 390 people killed or injured last year alone. Ukraine, facing the aftermath of Russia’s invasion, now holds the unfortunate distinction of being the world’s most mined country, resulting in the loss of numerous lives.
In Cambodia, the consequences of these explosive devices are severe. Landmines were planted during the protracted Cambodian civil war, which lasted for 30 years until 1998. Even today, innocent Cambodians, particularly in rural areas, bear the brunt of these explosions. Tragically, many victims are children who accidentally stumble upon landmines while playing or scavenging for scrap metal. The devastating impact of these explosives has led to Cambodia having one of the highest numbers of amputees per capita globally, with over 40,000 amputees among its 16.6 million population.
Efforts to address this alarming situation are underway through a variety of initiatives. Numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Cambodia focus on demining and mitigating these explosives’ impact. International organizations and foreign governments, including South Korea, China, Canada, and Australia, support demining programs in the country. Since 2014, APOPO, a global non-profit organization, has been using innovative methods, such as training rats, to detect buried explosives. These “hero rats” have proven instrumental in increasing the efficiency of demining efforts.
Cambodia’s expertise in demining has also prompted its deminers’ deployment to other parts of the world, assisting countries in Africa and the Middle East. In a display of solidarity, Cambodian deminers were dispatched to Ukraine to train locals in clearing landmines planted by Russian troops. These experiences have fueled Cambodia’s call for other nations to learn from its own encounter with unexploded weapons.
The Cambodian government endeavors to make the country mine-free by 2025, but substantial financial resources are required to achieve this goal. Additional funding of $138 million is urgently needed to support demining efforts and clear over 400 square kilometers of landmines this year. Cambodia looks to the international community for assistance in meeting this target.
The lingering threat of unexploded weapons in Cambodia serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking action to address the aftermath of past conflicts. The country’s efforts to remove explosives and safeguard its population offer valuable lessons for other nations grappling with similar challenges.
Market Capital Research 