PHNOM PENH — A week after announcing that demining operations would halt in some parts of the country, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) explained that Cambodia had not directly received funding from USAID to help support its operations. However, funds were obtained through U.S. aid from a Norwegian organization.

On Feb. 7, CMAA issued a statement to address the public's concerns and worries about a permanent mine operation disruption.

In its message, CMAA explained that the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) received U.S. aid funds through the Norwegian People’s Aid, which receives financial support from the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM/WRA).

The PM/WRA also funds mine clearance organizations such as the Mine Advisory Group and the Halo Trust.

“These funds are not under USAID or directly for the Cambodian government,” CMAA said in its statement. “Please note that CMAA is under discussion with the above organizations and the PM/WRA. We hope that the United States will continue assistance for mine clearance activities in Cambodia.”

On Jan. 31, CMAC Director-General Heng Ratana announced that demining operations had halted temporarily in eight provinces following the United States freezing foreign aid. An 85-day aid suspension is affecting operations in numerous provinces, including Kampong Cham, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Prey Veng, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng and Tboung Khmum provinces.

During an interview on Jan. 31, Ly Thuch, first vice president of CMAA, said that the U.S. funding freeze could potentially affect 93 demining operators and eliminate the jobs of more than 1,000 demining personnel.

As explained in the statement on Feb. 7, as much as 30 percent of the funds for demining operations in Cambodia have been provided by the United States. Most of the funds are used for cluster bomb clearance, landmine demining, and other activities, the statement read.

Since 1992, the demining activities have included the removal of landmines, cluster bombs and explosive remnants of war as well as providing landmine-risk education and victim assistance.

The demining is made possible through funds from the government campaign and countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States, as well as​​ the United Nations, civil society organizations, foundations, the private sector and charitable persons.

On Feb. 6, China and Japan announced assistance of $4.4 million and $1.3 million respectively to support Cambodia demining. The Chinese grant will support demining for a year starting on March 1.

In February 2025, Australia pledged to allocate $1.2 million for the Clearing for Result Phase-IV to aid Cambodia achieve mine-free status by 2030.

Between 1992 and 2024, an area of 3,297 square kilometers has been demined and reused for agricultural purposes (81 percent), infrastructure (4 percent), and community buildings (15 percent), benefiting more than 10 million people, according to CMAA.

More than 1.2 million anti-personnel mines​, 26,567 anti-tank mines, and 3.2 million explosive remnants of war have so far been cleared. The number of victims has decreased from 4,320 in 1996 to 49 in 2024.

As of today, 15 cities and provinces have been declared mine-free. Those are Phnom Penh, and the provinces of Kep, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kandal, Kratie, Mondulkiri, Preah Sihanouk, Prey Veng, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, and Tboung Khmum.