MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Hunt
Australia will provide $2.5 million in aid to help improve rehabilitation services for landmine survivors living in remote areas of Cambodia.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Greg Hunt, said the funding will deliver high-quality prostheses, finance and vocational skills training schemes, and support rehabilitation centres that provide physiotherapy services.
Mr Hunt, Australia's Special Representative on Mine Action, announced the funding ahead of tonight's premiere screening of the documentary, Living in a Minefield, at Parliament House in Canberra.
The documentary tells the poignant stories of landmine survivors who face the challenge of living in a minefield in Cambodia. The event marks the 10th anniversary of the Mine Ban Convention signed by Australia.
'Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily mined countries, with as many as six million landmines scattered across mainly rural land,' Mr Hunt said. 'Landmines and unexploded ordnance are significant obstacles to reconstruction and development.
'Australia's new aid package will help reduce suffering and lessen the threat and socio-economic impact of landmines and other explosive remnants of war in Cambodia.'
The funds, to be spent over the next two years, will also help the Cambodian Red Cross provide survivor assistance and mine risk education, and support the Cambodian Government develop a victim assistance plan.
As a signatory to the Mine Ban Convention agreed in 1997, Australia has taken a lead role in assisting the Royal Government of Cambodia to promote an integrated, comprehensive approach to survivor assistance.
Australia has provided about $55 million on mine action in Cambodia since 1996. Aid from Australia and other countries has significantly reduced landmine and unexploded ordnance casualty rates in Cambodia by over 80 per cent in the past decade.
'This funding represents the latest contribution to the Australian Government's broader commitment to provide $75 million for mine action globally from 2005 until 2010,' Mr Hunt added.
Media contacts:
John Deller (Mr Hunt's office) on 0400 496 596
AusAID (Public Affairs) on 0417 680 590