Cambodia’s Demining Authority Faces Funding Squeeze as Donors Shift Priorities
News Source
•Wed, 19 Aug 2026 02:50:02 +0000
📰 What Happened
Cambodia's mine-clearing agency is feeling a budget squeeze like others across Asia. Donors are spending more of their money on crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other war zones. That leaves less for clearing old landmines here.
Cutbacks in Washington, including the end of some USAID programs, have added pressure. Still, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre continues to get some support from the United States. Western donors gave about 4.3 billion dollars for mine work between 2020 and 2024.
🔍 The Backstory
Countless landmines still sit buried under Cambodian soil from its past wars. Clearing them saves farmers, children, and anyone who walks across the land. When mines are gone, families can safely farm and live on the land again.
Western countries have long been the main funders of mine removal. But when new wars break out, donor money shifts away from these long, quiet tasks. Nations like Cambodia risk being forgotten even though their danger never fully disarmed.
🎯 Why It Matters
Clearing old mines saves lives and returns safe land to communities. But when crises steal aid money, these quiet dangers can sit forgotten. Fair funding matters so families in places like Cambodia can live free of hidden risk.
Cambodia's mine-clearing agency is feeling a budget squeeze like others across Asia. Donors are spending more of their money on crises in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, and other war zones. That leaves less for clearing old landmines here.
Cutbacks in Washington, including the end of some USAID programs, have added pressure. Still, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre continues to get some support from the United States. Western donors gave about 4.3 billion dollars for mine work between 2020 and 2024.
Countless landmines still sit buried under Cambodian soil from its past wars. Clearing them saves farmers, children, and anyone who walks across the land. When mines are gone, families can safely farm and live on the land again.
Western countries have long been the main funders of mine removal. But when new wars break out, donor money shifts away from these long, quiet tasks. Nations like Cambodia risk being forgotten even though their danger never fully disarmed.
Clearing old mines saves lives and returns safe land to communities. But when crises steal aid money, these quiet dangers can sit forgotten. Fair funding matters so families in places like Cambodia can live free of hidden risk.