Home›Global Markets›Asia›Cambodia demining groups face funding crunch as donors…

Cambodia demining groups face funding crunch as donors shift to new conflicts

The Associated Press reports aid is being redirected toward humanitarian demining in Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, as well as Syria and Afghanistan, leaving Southeast Asia’s clearance work at risk of prolonged delays.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Asia

Cambodian landmine clearance groups say they are facing mounting strain as foreign donors shift humanitarian demining funding toward other active conflicts, according to the Associated Press. The outlet describes the case of En Poy, who was cattle herding in a former Khmer Rouge stronghold in Cambodia when he set off his first landmine, losing an arm and an eye in the blast, before later joining Cambodian Self Help Demining. The organization clears landmines and unexploded ordnance across the country, where remnants from wars of the last century continue to endanger communities. The Associated Press reports that donors are increasingly prioritizing demining efforts tied to fighting in places such as Ukraine, Gaza and Sudan, along with more recent wars including Syria and Afghanistan. At the same time, today’s conflicts are also driving higher defense spending, which reduces the pool of money available for aid. Demining groups warn that without international support, Southeast Asia’s unfinished work clearing landmines and unexploded bombs will continue to maim and kill people and slow development for years, the Associated Press said.

More like this

Sources