Phnom Penh (FN), July 23 - On the morning of July 22, 2021, on behalf of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister and President of the Cambodia Mines Action and Victims Assistance Authority (CMAA) His Excellency Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice President of CMAA, handed over the food and budget, which are precious gifts of Samdech Techo Prime Minister supports to 184 demining workers working for MAG who are under quarantine by covid-19 in Samlot district, Battambang province.
The emergency food supported by the Cambodia Mines Action and Victims Assistance Authority, Cambodian Red Cross Battambang Branch office, and the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation. Those are including: Rice, Pure water, soy sauces, Fish sauces, instant noodles, canned fish, sausage and dried fish, Surgical mask and the alcohol. In addition to food, the Senior Minister also donated 500,000 Riels each to three MAG staffs who had positive by covid-19 and currently stay in the hospital, and other 4 million riels for the national staffs who under quarantines in fours MAG accommodation.
This event was also attended by His Excellency Nguon Ratanak, Governor of Battambang province, Mr. But Kim Sean, Chairman of Battambang Provincial Committee of the Cambodian Red Cross, Her Excellency Buth Rothna, Director of the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation in Cambodia and Advisor of CMAA and the Samlot District Administration.
On behalf of all Cambodian demining team, the Senior Minister expressed his deepest gratitude and highly appreciation to Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister and Samdech Kittipritthbandit, President of the Cambodian Red Cross, which both Samdech always taking care of, compassionate and considerate of the well-being of the Cambodian people, as well as support for all demining workers during all difficult times.
At the same time, the Senior Minister praised the Battambang Provincial Administration for providing excellent cooperation and support to all national and international demining operators who are doing humanitarian work to save lives and provide safe land for our people, as well as to join the transformation of the land of former battlefields with high threat of landmines into a land of safety and development. These contributions are really positives to help to improve lives of the people became more better and better.
The senior minister expressed that "The Royal Government of Cambodia, under the great leadership of Samdech Techo Prime Minister, has already brought peace and political stability throughout the country to the motherland, so the next generation as the deminers, we really have an important responsibility to join Samdech Techo in protecting peace and development.”
He added that demining works in Cambodia continued to move forward despite the spread of covid-19, and advised all demining staff to remain vigilant, hygienic and healthy. Particularly, we must continue to follow the high guidance measures of Samdech Techo Prime Minister including 3 don’ts and 3 prevents regularly.
It should be noted that MAG has been working for humanitarian mine action in Cambodia since 1992 and currently has 610 staff, including 7 foreign staff operating in 3 provinces, including Battambang, Pailin and Ratanakiri. As of December 2020, MAG has cleared 95 square kilometers of landmines and explosive remnants of war, found and destroyed 81,047 anti-personnel mines, 1,240 anti-tank mines and unexploded ordnance 269,674 bombs exploded, and made about 2 million beneficiaries.
