Landmine Monitor - Cambodia Country report

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http://www.camnet.com.kh/cgi-bin/lideekhmer/landmine_monitor.cfm

FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
PREPARED BY THE CAMBODIA CAMPAIGN TO BAN LANDMINES
FEBRUARY 1999

I. Introduction
II. Banning antipersonnel landmines

• Mine Ban Treaty
• Production
• Transfer
• Stockpiling and Destruction
• Use

III. Humanitarian Mine Action

• Funding
• Mine Clearance - Survey /Assessement
• Mine Awareness Education
• Mine Clearance
• Reconstruction & Development of Cleared Areas

IV. Mine Action : Landmine Victim / Survivor Assistance

• Landmine Casualties
• Provision of Victim / Survivor Assistance

Appendices

• Law on the Ban of Anti-Personnel Landmines (Unofficial Translation)
• Hunters Using Landmines to Kill Cambodiaa Tigers
• Cambodian Returnees Joint Press Statement
• Draft Law To Protect People With Disabilities
• From NGO statement 1999 consultative group meeting
• All Mined Areas Cleared

References

I. INTRODUCTION

Cambodia, home to 10 million people and the fabled Angkor Wat temple is also "home" to millions of land mines and unexploded ordinances. War and genocide have injured the country socially, culturally and economically and the effects are visible in many ways but perhaps most poignantly in the number of children, men and women wearing prostheses or riding wheelchairs.

Mines laid by all factions in the Cambodian conflict and submunitions dropped by US aerial bombardment continue to maim and kill civilians and military and make agricultural land unsafe. In 1998, 1249 known new casualties occurred.

In a country where 85 percent of the population is dependent upon agriculture or related activities, such a contamination represents a massive restriction of Cambodia’s economic base. However through the Cambodia Mine Action Center, and the non-government organizations that work alongside it, the people of Cambodia are tackling this legacy of conflict for themselves

Cambodia rejoiced when 122 countries signed the Treaty to Ban Land Mines in December 1997.

However the real test of the Mine Ban Treaty, signed in Ottawa will be the effect it has on the lives of people in mined countries, like Cambodia.

Does in prevent more deaths and injuries?

Do people in mined communities

• get their land cleared?
• have access to water?
• have enough food to eat?
• have schools for their children?
• have medical facilities?

Do people disabled by mines have access?

• to limbs?
• to wheel chairs?
• to health services?
• to new income generating opportunities?

II. BANNING ANTIPERSONNEL LANDMINES:

MINE BAN TREATY

On 3 December 1997 Cambodia signed the Mine Ban Treaty in Ottawa Canada. However, ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty has not yet been achieved in Cambodia. This can largely be attributed to the political events in Cambodia, which followed the signing of the Ottawa Treaty. A General Election was held during June 1998 and lengthy negotiations followed as political parties tried to form a new coalition government. After street demonstrations and disputes about the credibility of the general election a new government was finally sworn in on 25 November 1998. Throughout this period the National Assembly met for a minimal number of days and passed little legislation.

In the meantime the Cambodia Mine Action Center tried to help the process of ratification by translating the Mine Ban Treaty into the Khmer language. It also drafted the Landmine law. The Landmine law aims to bans the production, use trade and export of antipersonnel landmines. It bans civilians, civil servants, Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, Military forces and the National Police from using anti-personnel mines in any circumstances, except for mine training or clearance. The law gives the Cambodia Mine Action Center responsibility for destroying mines and in particular stockpiles and the coordination mine clearance organizations inside Cambodia. The law also outlines punishments for those who posses or use landmines on Cambodian soil. (See Appendix One)

Article 26 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia outlines the process of ratification of international treaties in Cambodia;

The King shall sign and ratify international treaties and conventions after a vote of approval by the National Assembly.

On 29 January 1998 the Mine Ban Treaty and the draft Landmine Law were presented at the Council of Ministers and recommended for the list of legislation to go before the National Assembly in the coming months. It is, however unclear how long this process will take.

Draft landmine laws were written in 1995 and 1996 but never became law because of political changes in Cambodia at that time. The contents of the most recent Landmine Law are similar to that of the 1996. No legislation has yet been passed in Cambodia in relation to antipersonnel landmines.

The Cambodia Mine Action Center has advised the government in relation to its obligations under the Mine Ban Treaty in relation to Articles 7 and 18. Work in these areas will commence in the near future.

Despite the slow process to ratification it can be said that a number of key political personalities in the Cambodian context have expressed their support for the Mine Ban Treaty and its objectives.

On 2 October 1994 Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia issued a declaration calling for a law against the use of anti-personnel landmines, the destruction of existing stockpiles, the end of export and use and a request to donor countries for de-mining support. At the same time he began a series of personal donations to the work of the Cambodia Mine Action Center which at the end of 1998 totaled US$13,000.

First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh announced at an international donor meeting on 11 March 1994 an immediate ban on the import and laying of landmines in Cambodia.

In August 1994, Ieng Mouly the Chairman of the Cambodia Mine Action Center announced the government’s intention to legislate a ban on the use of landmines. No timetable was given for the legislation but proposed the interim steps of criminalizing the re-mining of de-mining sites, ensuring that new minefields are marked and banning sales of mines to civilians.

On 2 June 1995 Samdech Chea Sim, High Representative of His Majesty the King reiterated the position of the Kingdom of Cambodia made in the statement of King Norodom Sihanouk (2 October 1994), at the 1995 Landmines Conference in Phnom Penh,

We call for severe punishments on the use and the laying of landmines, as well as for the outlawing of those who use and lay land mines. We appeal to all mine-producing nations to stop this production and to destroy all the existing arsenals of landmines. We call for the ban of sale and shipment of landmines. At the same time, we call for immediate cessation of new mine planting and for the immediate destruction of all landmines in the hands of the Khmer Rouge outlaws. In this spirit we are the fighters for a mine free Cambodia and a mine free world.

At the closing ceremony of the same conference the Co-Minister of Defense, Lieutenant-General Tea Banh made a statement that the Royal Cambodia Armed Forces ‘fully and actively’ supported ‘all kinds of efforts’ to reduce the dangers caused by anti-personnel landmines.

On 14 August 1998, during a march for peace at Siem Reap, Northern Cambodia King Norodom Sihanouk called for the ratification of the Mine Ban Treaty.

On the occasion of the Phnom Penh International Forum on Demining and Victim Assistance, 26 October 1998 Samdech Hun Sen Second Prime Minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia stated,

We Cambodians we are also proud that while the Khmer Rouge continued the war, the Royal Cambodian Government has ordered the army not to lay any land mines. We are also proud that only three months after the election of July 1993, at the request of the Royal Government, His Majesty The King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk, signed a decree to appoint the chairman of CMAC in order to speed-up the mine clearance process. Last year the Cambodian Royal Government has drafted a law forbidding the use or possession of landmines in Cambodia, because the Royal Government of Cambodia, as well as the people of Cambodia, as well as the rest of mankind hope that our Cambodian Assembly could proceed with its work to approve this draft law as soon as possible.

On the same day, 26 October 1998 His Excellency Ieng Mouly Chairman of the Governing Council of the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) and Minister of Information made the following statement,

Cambodia is totally committed to ban the use, stockpiling, and transfer of landmines. We were among the first signatories of the Ottawa convention. For the convention to take effect, the new National Assembly will have to ratify in the future. The National Assembly will have also to adopt a law on the ban and on the destruction of stockpile of landmines, a law that the current government has already drafted. This is to prevent new mines being planted. At the same time, we continue to mobilize our efforts to clear, as fast as possible, many million of landmines that are hiding in the soil of Cambodia.

In 1995 Tun Channareth, Hem Phang, Suon Chreuk and Klieng Vann, who had all been injured by landmines, launched a signature campaign. All of the aforementioned leaders signed the petition calling for a ban on anti-personnel landmines.

It is important to note Cambodia’s key role in the build up to the signing of the Mine Ban Treaty and in seeking a landmines ban in other forums such as the United Nations. In January 1995, the Cambodian delegation to the Geneva governmental experts meeting in preparation for the Review Conference of the Conventional Weapons Convention and its Landmine Protocol called for a comprehensive ban on landmines.

Cambodia’s position on a comprehensive ban was strengthened as it announced a moratorium on exports of anti-personnel mines and co-sponsored a United Nations General Assembly Resolution [ref. 10/3/96]. Further on 25 March 1997 Cambodia signed the 1980 UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) – Protocol I, II, III, IV and Protocol II Amended.

Cambodia has no stated position on negotiating a ban on mine transfers in the Conference on Disarmament. However, the government is against anything that dilutes the Mine Ban Treaty and will continue to promote all aspects associated with this Treaty.

PRODUCTION

Despite the millions of deadly weapons in Cambodian soil, Cambodia has only ever commercially manufactured one kind of antipersonnel landmine, the KN -10. However there are countless reports of homemade or improvised mines being produced across Cambodia by various actors.

In the early 1970s Cambodia manufactured the KN – 10 Antipersonnel Landmine. The KN- 10 is a Cambodian directed fragmentation antipersonnel mine. This mine is similar to the Vietnamese MDH -10 and former Soviet MON -100 mines. The mine can be used against both light skinned vehicles or in an antipersonnel role. The KN-10 is typically command initiated. However, it can be impacted with a variety of tripwire-initiated fuses. The mine is normally found attached to a tree or similar item. Although the mine is designed to be initiated by a MUV-type fuse, it can also be command detonated. It is difficult to acquire information about how the KN-10 was used in Cambodia or how many were produced.

Improvised or homemade mines are made by a variety of people and for a variety of purposes. Civilians make such mines for the purposes of property protection (e.g. land, houses, village, bridge, and animals), for fishing or for settling scores with in neighborhood disputes. The most recent report of such use was Rattankiri province, in the North East of Cambodia where poachers are trying to catch tigers with homemade landmines. Poachers buy explosives and detonators from middlemen, who are often the people commissioning them to kill the tigers. Each mine uses about 2kg of explosive and costs less than US$20 to make. (See Appendix Two)

Since the signing of the Mine Ban Treaty Khmer Rouge soldiers continued to manufacture improvised landmines in small factories in the North West of the country. Sources, known to the researchers, have met men who worked in these factories CMAC is charged with destroying all improvised mines and technical adviser will visit the factory areas in order to devise safe means to destroy these mines. It is also believed that in some refugee camps along the Thai-Cambodian border Khmer Rouge soldiers used civilians to produce landmines. It is also widely believed that stocks of mines belonging to the Khmer Rouge still remain in cave areas in Thailand.

While key political leaders in relation to landmines have made many statements, (See Chapter One) a law has yet to be passed in the National Assembly banning the production of landmines in Cambodia. In February 1999 there is no formal evidence of continued production of mines by any Cambodian group.

More information about the type of mines produced is available from the Cambodia Mine Action Center in Phnom Penh or from the Department of Defense Humanitarian De-mining Program, United States of America.

TRANSFER

Since the early 1970s many landmines have crossed the borders of Cambodia. The following lists of anti-personnel landmines have at some time or other been found in Cambodian soil, and thus must have been imported by one army or another.

Antipersonnel Mines found in Cambodia

Anti-tank Mines found in Cambodia

However on 17 February 1999, the Deputy Commander in Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Chief of Joint Staff, Lt. Gen. Pol Saroeun stated that the government was not trading in landmines. He is unaware of any such trading in Cambodia. An informal survey of local markets notorious for the sale of weapons, found that the anti-personnel landmine was no longer for sale.

There are of course exceptional, isolated cases. In 1998, a member of the Cambodia Campaign to Ban Landmines in Sisophon was approached by trader in Phnom Malai, Banteay Meachey province. He asked if a buyer could be found for his 40 landmines. It is widely believed that anti-personnel landmines are traded through Thailand to the Burma Border, but there is no formal evidence of such transfers.

Since 2 October 1994 Cambodia has maintained a position against the import or export of anti-personnel landmines. Norodom Sihanouk, King of Cambodia issued a declaration calling for a law against the use of anti-personnel landmines, the destruction of existing stockpiles, the end of export and use and a request to donor countries for de-mining support. On 24 May 1996 a CMAC official, Mr Som Socheath was quoted in a local newspaper saying, "Our draft law contains serious penalties against anyone found to be importing or laying landmines," That draft law never reached the National Assembly because of political changes at the time. A new draft law against the import and export of landmines is yet to be submitted to the National Assembly. (See Chapter One)

STOCKPILING AND DESTRUCTION

On 17 February 1999 Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Lieutenant General Pol Saroeun, formally stated that the Cambodian government no longer had stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines. The following table shows the numbers of landmines destroyed by the RCAF.

These landmines were destroyed by explosion, individually and in-groups, as they were found. Cambodia received no financial assistance for this process.

It is widely believed that piles of mines are in different parts of the country left over from the stages of conflict in Cambodia. These mines are believed to be under the control of soldiers or village security, businessmen or are left undiscovered in the forest. Landmines are sometimes kept by individual villagers for fishing, property protection or settling scores. No records have been kept of such stockpiles and the Cambodia Action Center will undertake an information gathering process in relation to this issue in the next year. The Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Joint Staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) Lieutenant General Pol Saroeun stated that any stockpiles, which are found by the RCAF, would be destroyed.

The Cambodia Mine Action Center has retained less than one thousand anti-personnel landmines for training. These are kept in the regional headquarters and the training center in Kompong Chhnang. CMAC usually uses copies of landmines for training purposes.

The Canadian government has offered Cambodia financial support to destroy stockpiles of anti-personnel landmines.

USE

Since the signing of the Ottawa Treaty on 3 December 1997 there have been reports of new use of anti-personnel landmines in Cambodia.

Fighting broke out in O’Smach, Otdar Meanchey province, O’Beichoen, Banteay Meanchey province and Samlot district, Battambang province since December 1997 but there is no concrete evidence to prove there was new use of landmines, although it is highly likely. What is certain is that all sides of the conflict sustained many landmine injuries, whether from old or new mines. On 17 February 1999, the Deputy Commander in Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Chief of Joint Staff, Lieutenant General Pol Saroeun stated that the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces had not laid new mines.

Funcinpec Forces under the command of Nhek Bun Chay controlled a small piece of land near O’Smach on the Thai/Cambodian border. It was literally ringed with a kilometer of landmines. Landmines were believed to be the primary weapon in their arsenal and were used to buy time while negotiations continued with the government.

In the case of Samlot defecting soldiers and their families booby-trapped their villages as they retreated to Thailand, in September 1997. The landmines used for such property protection in Samlot were either recovered while clearing paddy fields or homemade by transforming rockets and grenades into mine devices. In the same district in the months that followed Division 16 (previously of the RCAF, then defected to the resistance forces) laid landmines to protect mobile headquarters.

During October 1997 Khmer Rouge radio claimed that they would continue to exercise their right to lay landmines. During 1998 the Khmer Rouge were under extreme military and political pressure. They used both landmines and booby traps/ anti-personnel explosives to protect themselves from Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

It is widely known individuals use landmines for fishing, for the protection of property and for settling scores.

Other more isolated incidents of new landmine use include;

26 June 1998 - Airport, Koh Kong, a single landmine in the runway was hit by the airplane. Previously the runway had been in frequent use. It is unknown who laid the mine, although at the time the government accused the resistance forces.

10 August 1998 - Beoung Veng, six kilometers south of Phnom Malai, Banteay Meanchey - Police surrounded a forest with mines in order to capture a murderer who had hidden there. The man emerged from the forest stepped on a mine and the police shot him. He died.

27 January 1999 - Ratanakiri province – Homemade mines are used by poachers for catching and killing tigers. Tiger bones are highly sought by Vietnamese traders.

III. HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION

FUNDING

1. The Cambodia Mine Action Center

Income:

The Cambodia Mine Action Center is the government de-mining agency for Cambodia. It receives funding from the Cambodian government, other governments, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations who act as custodians for government funds.

Between 1993 to 1998 the Royal Government of Cambodia has donated approximately one million US dollars to the Cambodia Mine Action Center. In addition to this financial support the Royal Cambodian Government has donated 59 hectares of land in Kompong Chhnang province for the CMAC training center and land for the CMAC headquarters in Phnom Penh. The government has granted CMAC tax-free status, which has an estimated value of at least US$2 million dollars. All donations were given for the purposes of humanitarian de-mining by the Cambodia Mine Action Center.

The Cambodia Mine Action Center receives three kinds of support from other governments and non-governmental organizations - financial, advisory and in kind support. (Donor countries are listed in the table following.) For example, Norway contributes money to the UNDP trust fund, but also funds technical advisors through the NGO, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA). The United States does not provide money to the UNDP trust fund, but has provided millions of dollars in support for CMAC by providing in kind support in the form of trucks, explosives, cars, de-mining equipment and so on. Other countries fund bi-lateral projects. For example Sweden is funding a three-year program to establish a mine detection dog program in Cambodia. Finland is funding a two-year project for mechanical de-mining by funding the testing and perhaps the operational development of two mechanical de-mining flails.

CMACs annual project costs are US$12 million. This does not include advisory support or in kind donations.

The percentage break down of Cambodia Mine Action Center Expenditure

TRUST FUND – Daily CMAC Operational Budgets

Contributions from Donor Countries to the Cambodia Mine Action Center, 1994 -1998 as cited by CMAC.

* Not donated through the UNDP Trust Fund

Actual cash received by the UNDP Trust Fund "Assistance to De-mining Programs in Cambodia", since the signing of the Ottawa Treaty in December 1997 to December 1998

The total is:

Contributions to the UNDP Trust Fund "Assistance to De-mining Programs in Cambodia", for 1999 include:

*Firm pledge and agreement signed, but cash not yet received.

2. Mines Advisory Group

Income:

Donors Contribution

For the period of 1 January 98 - 31 December 1998

Note: LWS - Lutheran World Service, WVI – World Vision International

MINE CLEARANCE – SURVEY / ASSESSMENT

After 30 years of conflict Cambodia is among the most mine/ UXO affected countries in the world. In 1998, seven years after the 1991 peace agreement, mines and UXOs have caused more than 1200 accidents. The great majority of mined areas are located in the provinces along the Thai-Cambodia border where most of the fighting occurred since 1979. The Eastern provinces are mostly affected UXOs (though there are also some mined areas) as a result of the Vietnam War.

Though there has never been a systematic Level One Survey of the mine problem in Cambodia, a great deal of suspected areas are registered in the Cambodia Mine Action Center Database. One lasting legacy of the UNTAC period in Cambodia (1991-3) was the information collected on the location of around 1900 suspected mined areas. These suspected areas were then classified as reported, verified, marked or cleared. Suspected areas surveyed, marked or cleared by independent operators are also being registered in databases. CMAC has collected and verified reports of suspected areas, which are recorded in the Database since 1992. No formal records of mined areas exist. To verify reports, CMAC staff have to rely on interviewing villagers, local military, police and mine victims to identify the suspected areas.

In early 1999, CMAC plans to start a systematic, countrywide Level One Survey to assess the extent of the mine/UXO problem throughout the country. This survey will collect information on all suspected areas so as to fully determine the extent of the mine problem in Cambodia and develop a National De-mining Plan. This Survey will contain a socio-economic component, which will collect information on the number of the people affected and the socio-economic potential of the contaminated areas.

The information recorded to date in the CMAC Database is as follows:

• Reported mined areas (mine information):

572 fields covering 1,404,163,759 meters Sq.

• Verified mined areas (confirmed suspected mined area):

790 fields covering 532,632,269meters Sq.

• Marked mined areas (confirmed mined area):

402 fields covering 111,374,070 Meters Sq.

Based on the CMAC Database register of verified/marked mined areas, the suspected areas are characterized as follows:

The main target beneficiaries of humanitarian mine clearance are Internally Displaced People (IDPs), returning refugees, demobilized soldiers and landless rural families.

According to World Food Program as cited by CMAC, there are still over 110,000 Internally Displaced Peoples who are either waiting to resettle or have just gone back to their village of origin. In most of cases these villages of origin are either mined or very close to suspected areas.

There are also 37.000 refugees, still living in Thai refugee camps who are currently returning to heavily mine infested areas in Samlot, Samroung and Anlong Veng. (February 1999)

CMAC's Socio-Economic Branch was created to assess the socio-economic benefits of areas requested for clearance or areas, which have already been cleared. In each assessment, information is collected on land use planning, number and situation of beneficiaries and land tenure.

The assessments of 83 mined areas planned for clearance in 1998 and 1999 indicated that 6.300 families will benefit form the land cleared: 60.5% IDPs families and 39.5% local poor families.

The assessments of 60 cleared mined areas (out of a total of 238 cleared up to date by CMAC) showed that 1559 families have benefited from the land cleared: 46% IDP families and 54% local families. In 1999, CMAC hopes to collect the information from the other de-mining operators working in Cambodia.

Up to date, CMAC does not yet have an exact figure of the number of families affected by landmines. However we know that most of the rural communities living in mine affected districts along the Thai-Cambodian border are affected by mines in various ways. There is a shortage of land for settlement, for agriculture, it is difficult to the rehabilitate rural infrastructure (schools, road, irrigation systems), there are obstacles to safe travel and to forest gathering activities to earn an income and their is no security for children. In addition there are a number of casualties;

Casualties by Province in Cambodia - 1998

These figures are not yet comprehensive, as there are still key areas where CRC has limited information on the mine incident (former Khmer Rouge areas along the Thai-Cambodian Border). However it is planned to base data gatherers in these areas in 1999. Statistic experts suggest an additional 20% probably reflects a more accurate figures.

The number of mine incident per month is not constant over time. Over the past years the same trend has been observed: the numbers go up during the dry season and down in the wet season. The increased military activity and the increased forest gathering activities occurring during the dry season can explain this. In 1998, the monthly incident figure ranged from 180 in January to 54 in October.

Note: Mined areas by Province are available in the Appendixes.

MINE AWARENESS EDUCATION

Despite the many thousands of people who have received mine awareness training, it is evident given the number of accidents that occurring because of tampering with mines that too many people lack or have incorrect knowledge about the dangers of mines/UXO especially children in Cambodia. (An Information-Needs survey planned by CMAC to take place next year will provide more details about this issue.)

CMAC is responsible for the national strategy and for coordinating all awareness-raising efforts.

Mine marking is a very important form of mine awareness. CMAC has two kinds of teams involved in marking mined areas. There are 13 Mine Marking Teams (MMT) which are marking verified mined areas of high priority. There are another 13 Community Mine Marking Team (CMMT) which are marking priority areas and doing small scale clearance through minefields in remote villages, to assist the local population to live more safely in a mined environment.

However effective exclusion of civilians from the suspected areas does not rely only on marking. Mine awareness program and the active participation of local authorities have an essential role in modifying the behavior of villagers in suspected mine areas. Though there are improvements, they are still limited as the villagers driven by economic necessity often go to the dangerous areas.

The present methodologies are only primary method. We need to keep on developing new approaches and new technology to mark off and fence mined areas. Some of the critical issues confronting us are as follows:

• Permanent markers
• Reduction of boundary of mined areas to exact mine location
• Clearing of access routes through the mined areas
• Changing village behaviors

There are three lead agencies in the areas of mine awareness education. They include;

CMAC – 12 teams, mass media campaign, bill boards, NGO Campaign

MAG – 8 teams, billboards

MATT- awareness integrated into world vision‘s development activities

Other development agencies in mined areas have mine awareness integrated into their programs. None of the program in Cambodia relies on training village people as awareness educators. Rather, each organization employs Awareness teams, typically with four educators in each, visiting two to five locations a week (villages, schools, development projects, etc.) The following table shows the number of people who have received training from CMAC over a four year period.

Cambodia Mine Action Center - Mine Awareness Team (MAT) Campaign

1994 to 1998

Note: NGOs total includes, local NGOs in the provinces taught by MAT, NGOs taught by NGO campaign officer, three MAT participated 2 peace pilgrimages (The Dhammayiatra Peace Walks).

MINE CLEARANCE

Mine Clearance Agencies Currently de-mining in Cambodia:

1. Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC)

Building 10-12, Road 528, Quarter Boeng Kak 1, District Toul Kork, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. P.O Box 116, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tel: 855 23 981083/4, Fax: 855 23 367096.

Email: cmac@camnet.com.kh

The first step leading to the creation of CMAC was a decision of the Supreme National Council of Cambodia on 10 June 1992, establishing a body dedicated to the clearance of landmines. This reflected the provision of the Paris Peace Agreement which mandated that United States Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) should provide mine awareness, mine clearance and training for de-mining personnel.

CMAC evolved from the UNTAC-operated Mine Clearance Training Unit (MCTU), as an organization empowered to receive and administer donations of funds for de-mining. Its function was to collect information on the extent of the mine problem in the country. However, UNTAC personnel made all decisions and little capacity building was attempted.

When UNTAC’s mandate ended in November 1993, CMAC was reorganized, integrating the national and international staff attached to the MCTU into the present structure. Today CMAC has grown to be the national de-mining organization of Cambodia, coordinating its own de-mining activities in addition to those of several non-governmental organizations.

CMAC currently conduct major de-mining operations in seven provinces and other Mine/UXO clearance activities in an additional five provinces.

• Demining Unit 1 – Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap
• Demining Unit 2 – Battambang,
• Demining Unit 3 – Kampot, Kampong Speu,
• Demining Unit 4 – Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom

b. Mobile Operations: Mine and UXO clearance teams, Community Mine Marking Teams, Mine Verification and Survey Teams and Mine Awareness Education Teams.

• Kampong Chhnang
• Svay Rieng
• Prey Veng
• Kandal
• Takeo

All employees involved in de-mining operations in Cambodia are selected locally. The expatriate are doing the work as the Technical Advisors dealing with the work of de-mining operations, explosives ordnance disposal, verifications, mechanical nine clearance, Training, Socio-Economic, mine detection dog, financial and logistics techniques.

In 1998 CMAC cleared 11.5 square kilometers.

CMAC’s annual costs are now about US$12 million.

2. Mines Advisory Groups (MAG)

Building 30, Street 294, Boeng Keng Kang, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

P.O. Box 1111, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Tel: 855 23 360495 Fax: 855 23 360480.

Email: mag@forum.org.kh

MAG Cambodia began its operations in October 1992 deploying one mine clearance team in Battambang province. Today the organization operates five demining teams, seven Mine Action Teams (MAT’s) and two EOD teams. The MAT concept has been recently developed by MAG Cambodia to increase the impact of our programming on mine/UXO affected communities. MATs primarily focus on clearing small plots of land for community use, for example around pagodas, water sources, clinics, schools and for resettlement purposes. MATs comprise one supervisor, 12 deminers, one Trauma Care trained medic and a driver. The team can be transported in one vehicle, which gives the team increased nobility and flexibility. Each MAT member is primarily deployed as a deminer. However to provide an integrated response to the mine and UXO problem faced by a community, each deminer is trained in a secondary skill such as Surveying and Marking, Mine Awareness, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and basic trauma care. The MAG programme is currently supported by DFID, AusAID ( in partnership with World Vision International) UNICEF, and the NGO’s Church World Service (CWS), Lutheran World Service (LWS) and CARITAS who have accessed funds form European and American donors on MAG’s behalf. MAG operates in close co-ordination and co-operation with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).

MAG currently conducts operations in six provinces as follows:

• Battambang
• Kampong Thom
• Kampong Speu
• Banteay Meanchey
• Pursat
• Siem Reap

3. HALO Trust

Building 16, Street 95, Boeng Keng Kang, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Sat Fax: 00873 761 346246 Tel: 855-23-364063.

The HALO Trust has been working in Cambodia since 1991. HALO commenced operations with a mine danger area survey in support of UNHCR in Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces. Over 800 survey reports were generated and logged with the UNTAC database (now the CMAC database). In response to the large number of mine accidents and requests from other organizations HALO commenced clearance operations in early 1992 in Pursat and southern Banteay Meanchey provinces. As former conflict areas opened up HALO took on a trail braking role often the first organization to commence humanitarian activities in former Khmer Rouge areas. HALO currently has two base locations in Thmar Pouk and Siem Reap and two satellite locations in the towns of Samrong and Anlong Veng. HALO’s activities in Cambodia can be summarized as; Mine clearance, Survey, Marking, Limited Mine awareness, Route proving, Promotion of development in remote areas

HALO currently employs 560 local staff and expatriate Technical Advisor’s. In addition to the mine clearance teams in each location a UXO call out team is based to provide rapid response to requests from civilians, Government, non-Government and International Organizations. In 1997 HALO trailed the use of an armored tractor fitted with Bush cutter. These trials were so successful (an increase in clearance rates on cut ground of between 50 and 150 %) five units are now deployed and operating in Cambodia with a further five on order and planned to be deployed by mid 1999. In 1999 HALO is going to trial a system utilizing an armored loader to support manual clearance in areas of high metal contamination, laterite soil or extremely hard ground. This system was developed in Afghanistan and has achieved increases in productivity of over 25 times in parts of Kabul.

During 1998 HALO converted from the traditional Two Man One Lane system to One Man One Lane (OMOL) this has also proved to be extremely successful the number of demining lanes has doubled for the same running costs. Also significant improvement in productivity per lane has been achieved as a result of the introduction of OMOL. In early 1998 HALO conducted an investigation on land use of all sites cleared by HALO between 1992 and May 1998. This information was the basis of a land use reports the first of its kind done in Cambodia. This report showed that over 90% of land cleared by HALO had been used for purposes it was intended for when clearance took place and that less than 1% of cleared land had been repossessed by the military.

Commencing in March 1999 all sites cleared by HALO will be revisited and the socio-economic template developed by the CMAC planning unit will be applied to each of these sites and a consolidated report generated. HALO has regular meetings with both CMAC and MAG to ensure no duplication of effort occurs and there is a two-way flow of information regarding survey, clearance and technological developments.

HALO is currently funded by ECHO (European Community Humanitarian Office), DflD (British Government), the Finnish Government, DFA (Irish government), UNDP/CARERE, Association to Aid Refugees (Japan), United States state department and grass root grants from the Embassy of Japan.

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA)

# 4 St. 278 Sangkat Olympic, P.O. Box 2228, Phnom Penh.

Tel: 023 210383, Fax: 023 217729,

Email: npaid@camnet.com.kh

NPA’s Cambodia Commitment

The Landmine clearance effort in Cambodia began in 1992, which support to the UN Peacekeeping Mission. This was subsequently turned into assistance with the establishment of Cambodia’s national mine clearance organization, CMAC ( Cambodia Mine Action Centre). In its endeavour to fight landmines in Cambodia, NPA currently runs two major projects, which could be defined as humanitarian mine action. On the one hand, five Technical Advisers are involved in the process of improving the technical side of mine clearance, while empowering CMAC to develop into a self-reliant, sustainable organization. On the other, NPA runs a broad which is to help land-less poor to settle on demined land. In addition, it gives support to the Cambodian School for Prosthetics and Orthotics, and has set up a light engineering factory in Phnom Penh, employing mine victims in the production of demining equipment.

NPA’s budget for 1998 was:

School of Prosthetics	US $ 65,000.00
Technical Assistance to CMAC (demining)	US$ 460,000.00
Community Development	US$ 905,000.00
TOTAL	US$ 1,430,000.00

The Cambodia programme attempts to take a holistic approach to the mine problem, and this report hopes to shed some light on the humanitarian mine action effort of NPA in Cambodia as it looked in 1998.

REMARKS

There are some obstacles to a more effective mine clearance program in Cambodia. These include flail mechanical clearance that cannot access some areas in Cambodia. Some locations are under water, bushes, and sloping land also caused difficulties in manual de-mining. There is no mapped mine-field left by those who laid the mines.

All relevant participants, various government agencies, UN, NGO de-mining organizations are cooperating with CMAC.

It should be noted in this report that de-mining requires discipline, patience and courage. The de-miners who die or are injured on duty in Cambodia have been very few in comparison to other places. However family and friends mourn any death or injury. Cambodian de-miner are held in esteem for their courage and service to country.

Mine Clearance:

Since 1992, CMAC has maintained records of areas cleared. The records can be accessible to CMAC Operations Branch or Database Unit.

As at 11 December 1998:

As at 30 November 1998:

As at 14 December 1998:

As 14 August 1998:

Total Land Cleared: 147.8 square kilometers.

It is important to note the significant contribution of local people towards the de-mining of Cambodia.

For details of provincial statistics please, refer to the appendixes.

Based on the report from the CMAC data base, areas which have been cleared by percentage as follows:

1. Resettlement by 54.4%
2. Agricultural by 44.0%
3. Infrastructure by 1.2%
4. Economic development by 0.4%

RECONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT OF CLEARED AREAS

CMAC Community Liaison Officer’s have conducted socio-economic assessments in 60 mined areas cleared by CMAC. The sixty cleared mined areas represents 25% of the total of 238 areas cleared to date by CMAC. The total area of the minefields assessed represents 20% of the total surface area cleared by CMAC. Thus the general characteristics report here are not necessarily representative of what may later be found as the CMAC socio-economic efforts continue.

The Socio-economic section conducted benefit assessments of 40 mined areas, which were being cleared in 1998. Out of these, the section recommended that 8 areas be removed from the work plan because the socio-economic benefits of de-mining could not be substantiated. However, while it is not possible yet to draw general conclusions, this report will point out a number of interesting features of the data collected so far.

The proportion of land under dispute is quite limited. In the areas assessed it amounted to only 4%. However without proper coordination and cooperation, CMACs efforts in areas previously administered by the Army and from which the civilian population was displaced will be made difficult by the potential for land disputes. In the context, it is crucial for CMAC to carry out socio-economic assessments in close collaboration with local authorities and the Provincial Governments.

Of the 60 cleared areas surveyed the following information was collected. Out of the total 1,559 beneficiary families, 700 (54%) have used the land for resettlement, 213(14%) were already settled on the land cleared and 646(41%) are cultivating it. The higher percentage of families using land for resettlement in Battambang (66%) and Banteay Mean Chey (48%) is due to the return of Internally Displaced People to their villages of origin. This proportion will increase significantly as the remaining assessments are made in the areas opened since the Khmer Rouge defections in 1996. The average agricultural land cleared used by one family is 0.8 hectare, ranging from 0.4 to 1.1 .The average housing plot used by one family is 1,376 square meters. It should be noted that housing plots in rural areas are not just used to building a house but also cultivate vegetable and fruit gardens.

This issue has been of concern to a network of NGOs who work in mined areas. During June 1998 a group of NGos met in Battambang province to discuss the issue and came out with a statement that included an analysis of the situation and recommendations. That statement was adapted with experience from other NGOs and sent as part of the NGO Statement To The 1999 Consultative Group Meeting On Cambodia, Tokyo 25-26 February 1999. (See Appendix Five for the full statement.)

Development and reconstruction of mine affected villages and communities are essential components ensuring the spirit of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty is carried forward. Agencies working in development and reconstruction of mine affected communities, after the mines are cleared in Cambodia include Norwegian People Aid, Lutheran world Service, Jesuit Service, Church World Service, World Vision, Action Nord Sud and CARERE. Subsequent Landmine Monitors will follow these activities in more detail.

IV. MINE ACTION: LANDMINE VICTIM/ SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE

LANDMINE CASUALTIES

The Mine Incident Database Project enables us to see clearly the situation of Landmine casualties in Cambodia. It was made possible because of the close collaboration of various agencies, chief among them being the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC), who agreed to host the database project and sponsor data gathering teams in four provinces, and the Mine Advisory Group, who deployed data gathering teams in five provinces. UNICEF has been the principal donor throughout the duration of the project. The Handicap International provided technical advisor and field staff were responsible for the setting up of the data base, and the training, coordinating and monitoring of the CRC data gathering and data entry staff.

The following Graphs and Diagrams prepared by Mine Incident Database Project highlight the overall situation of Landmine Casualties in Cambodia. They include:

• 1998 Mine Incidents: Casualties ranked by Province
• Long Term Casualty Trends by Year 1979 -1998
• Short Term Trend: Total Reported Casualties by Month, 1996-8
• Total Casualties: Deaths vs. Injuries 1998, Casualties by Age Group 1998, Military vs. Civilian Casualties 1998, Casualties by Gender 1998
• Incident by Occupational Category (Civilian vs. Military) 1998
• Incidents by Occupational Status (Mine) 1998
• Analysis of Casualty Types and Type of Amputation 1998

• Accident Territory – by Mine/UXO 1998

PROVISION OF VICTIM/SURVIVOR ASSISTANCE

To date it has been impossible to have exact statistics on the number of people disabled by landmines and still alive in Cambodia today. We do know that, at least 14500 people died as result of landmines and that at least 24,410 survived mine injuries initially. All who work among the mine victims have anecdotes of mine victims needing ongoing medical assistance for years after their accident, because of metal pieces left on their bodies and recurring wounds. As more land and communities are liberated from Khmer Rouge control access to many more disabled people, previously unrecorded becomes possible. The goal is to have statistics that can help to provide better services for the disabled at the provincial and district levels.

Health Services

The Cambodian government has developed a health plan that names operational districts, which consist of referral hospitals and health centers. These health centers are planned to be within ten kilometers or two hours walk of the population they serve. In 1998 surgical facilities are available at provincial level for landmine injuries.

MEDICAM the non governmental organisations working in the health sector noted for the Donor Consultative Meeting 24 February 1999.

Recent studies have shown that the average expenditure in health care is approximately 20-33US$ per capita/per year. Most Cambodians are paying far more than they can afford for generally poor quality, ineffective care. Instead of being a factor of poverty alleviation, health care is a serious impoverishing factor in Cambodia. 45% of patients have to borrow money to pay the medical bill for inpatient case, and households with least total monthly expenditures spent 28% on health costs. In addition, if to treat a sick family has to resort to selling, for example, its sole buffalo or rice field – its main capital – the consequences are far-reaching, and almost irreversible. Data gathering in process and common knowledge reveal that most disabled are among the very poorest in a very poor country, Health costs for land-mine injuries can completely bankrupt the family.

A special hospital for victims of conflict run by the NGO EMERGENCY exists in Battambang. Military hospitals caring for soldier victims include those in Battambang, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

The following map shows the distribution of named operational health centers, provided by the Ministry of Health.

Maps of Operational health Districts.

the following table, provided by the Ministry of Health highlights patient intake for hospitals in 1998.

Patients Intake at Cambodian Hospitals - January to December 1998