Phnom Penh (FN), July 20 - Hun Manit, deputy chief of cabinet of Prime Minister Hun Sen, said that without dedication of the deminers, Cambodia would not be developed as she is today, speaking at the honor rewarding ceremony for Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC)’s officials in total of 270 on Friday.

“Without all of your efforts, Cambodia could not develop,” said Hun Manit adding that “We take the opportunity to thank all of you for working for the cause of our nation.”

Hun Manit, son of the premier, also urged international partners to continue the demining aids for Cambodia in response to the needs of Cambodian people.

Due to Cambodia's recent efforts in the last decades, the accidents resulted from mine and unexploded ordnances have dropped remarkably. Landmine casualties in Cambodia from 2000-2005 accounted for over 800 accidents per year, fell short to 100 accidents per year in 2016-2018.

Despite the dramatic drop in rates, this figure is still higher compared to countries of mine issues. Some victims suffered mine in their farmland. They had no choices but to continue farming to support their livelihoods even though the land has yet be cleared of land mines.

The Royal Government of Cambodia, on July 20, approved a 10% additional budget to support the Cambodian Mine Action Sector.

"Assisting mine action sector is the government's effort to reduce rural poverty," said Ly Thuch, Senior Minister Ly Thuch, 1st Vice President of Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA).

Thanks to peace and political stability, Cambodia’s economy has been among the fastest growing economies, unmatched by any other post-conflict society for the past two decades. Better yet, Cambodia has moved up classification wise into a lower-middle income economy by the World Bank Group in 2016. Cambodia significantly reduced poverty rate to below 10% in 2017 compared to 50% in 1992 and absolute poverty in 1979.
=FRESH NEWS