CMAC Gets $400,000 for Mine Detection Rats
The project was signed by Heng Ratana, director-general of CMAC and Michael Raine, APOPO’s Cambodia Program Manager on Dec. 13. Photo: CMAC
- By Ou Sokmean
- December 15, 2023 5:15 PM
PHNOM PENH – The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) has received $400,000 from the Belgian government through the Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection Product Development (APOPO) organisation.
The grant will be used for mine detection rats and technical survey dogs.
The project was signed by Heng Ratana, director-general of CMAC and Michael Raine, APOPO’s Cambodia Program Manager on Dec. 13.
“The project will start from January to December 2024 in Siem Reap, Preah Vihear and Mondulkiri provinces,” Ratana said.
“We plan to clear 98 million square meters in these provinces.
“CMAC has requested cooperation directly from the Belgian government to support demining activities in Cambodia from 2021 to 2026. They promised to provide about $500,000 per year.”
The cooperation and grant is provided to Cambodia through APOPO.
CMAC and APOPO have reached a 10-year cooperation on the mine detection rats project.
Ratana said during this period of cooperation, CMAC cleared more than 3,000 hectares of landmines and destroyed 51,000 unexploded ordinances.
“This cooperation with APOPO is not just about demining in Cambodia. We also have cooperation with other partners, such as dispatching our dogs to Turkey and to other countries in central Africa,” he said.
“In addition, we also dispatch experts to those countries. Deminers from Ukraine, Jordan and Senegal have also been training at the Technical Institute of Mine Action in Kampong Chhnang through APOPO.”
So far, 13 provinces are mine-free. These are Stung Treng, Kep, Prey Veng, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Tboung Khmum, Kampong Cham, Svay Rieng, Kampong Chhnang, Kandal, Takeo, Kampot and Kampong Speu.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.
