MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Hunt
Australia is providing $12 million to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia, in a major funding announcement to mark International Mine Action Day.
Australia's Special Representative on Mine Action and Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Greg Hunt, said the funding would help to clear explosives from millions of square metres of land across affected areas in Cambodia.
'We will allocate $12 million through the Australian Agency for International Development, (AusAID) to the United Nations Development Programme's Clearing for Results program,' Mr Hunt said.
'Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily mined countries with up to six million landmines estimated to be scattered throughout the country.
'According to the United Nations, close to six million of Cambodia's rural poor are affected by mines. A third of all victims are children.
'Landmines pose a serious threat to Cambodia's reconstruction and development, impacting on the lives of mine affected communities and limiting access to essential services and infrastructure.
'Clearing for Results has proved its effectiveness, exceeding its land clearance target for 2006. In 2006, 8.7 million square metres of land were cleared of mines. This was well in excess of the annual clearance target of 5.9 million square metres.
'The program has also helped to combat the devastating effects of unexploded ordnance which now cause more casualties than landmines in Cambodia.
'Our additional funding to be disbursed over four years will help to continue the good work of the program and allow de-mining teams to continue clearance work,' Mr Hunt said.
'Australian aid, together with that from other countries, has helped to reduce mine and unexploded ordnance casualty rates from 3000 to 450 per year.
'Since 1996, Australia has committed around $50 million to mine action-related activities in Cambodia, including $2 million to Clearing for Results last year.
'Australia has pledged $75 million over five years to 2010 for global mine action activities,' Mr Hunt said.
Media contacts:
Elizabeth James 0407 280 188
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590