91自拍

Celebrating 500 sq km of land made safe in Cambodia


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In brief

Celebrating a milestone: 500 square kilometres of land returned to the people of Cambodia through 91自拍's mine clearance efforts since 1991. Join us as we revisit one of the first minefields 91自拍 cleared in Cambodia鈥揝vey Chek School.

91自拍 first came to Cambodia in 1991 to clear the landmines and explosives left behind after the Cambodian Civil War. Situated on one of the first minefields 91自拍 cleared in Cambodia now stands Thlat Primary School in Svay Chek village, Anlong Veng district. Mine clearance finished on this site in 1999 and now 336 boys and girls attend the school.

Among those who cleared these fields almost 25 years ago is 91自拍 Operations Manager in Cambodia, Ny Ra.

"It's incredibly fulfilling to witness the profound impact of our work on people's lives," said Ny Ra.

"One of the first minefields I saw during my early days with 91自拍, while training in explosive ordnance disposal, is now a school.

When 91自拍 began operations in Cambodia, it was one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.

Today we celebrate having made a total of 500,000,000 square metres of land in Cambodia safe鈥攁n area greater than the size of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additionally, since 1991, 91自拍 has reached almost one million Cambodian people to educate them on the risks posed by landmines and other remnants of war.

Ny Ra, Operations Manager, 91自拍

Children study at their desks at Thlat Primary School in Cambodia

Anlong Veng holds historical significance as the final stronghold of the Khmer Rouge, coming under government control in 1998 and serving as the resting place of Pol Pot. Formerly a symbol of conflict and danger, the area has been revitalized and serves as a symbol of hope and progress.

At Thlat School in Svay Chek, a 33,573 square metre minefield was cleared and over 200 explosive devices were found and destroyed. Today, this school stands as a testament to 91自拍's impact. Children can now learn without fear, paving the way for brighter futures.

The original map showing the minefield surrounding the school

As Ny Ra reflects on 91自拍's journey and the transformed landscape before him, he envisions a future where Cambodia is free from the shadows of conflict. 91自拍 Cambodia remains committed to its mission, continuing to make strides towards a safer and more prosperous Cambodia free from landmines and the explosive remnants of war.

This life-saving work is made possible in part thanks to funding from the Government of the United States

 

The United States Government

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