One Year After the Conflict, Cambodia Identifies Nearly 3,900 km² of Land Still Contaminated by Unexploded Ordnance
One year after armed conflict along parts of Cambodia's border, authorities say the country continues to face a major humanitarian challenge: thousands of square kilometers of land remain contaminated by unexploded ordnance (UXO), posing ongoing risks to civilians and slowing recovery efforts.
According to Cambodia's Mine Action Center (CMAC), recent surveys have identified extensive areas affected by explosive remnants of war across several border provinces, reinforcing the importance of continued clearance operations and public safety education.
Thousands of Surveyed Locations Identified
CMAC reported that survey teams conducted extensive field assessments across seven provinces bordering Thailand.
The survey covered:
22 districts
60 communes
335 villages
Investigators documented approximately 5,348 affected locations, covering an estimated 387,206 hectares (around 3,872 square kilometers) of land believed to contain explosive hazards.
Field teams also recorded more than 18,500 pieces of physical evidence indicating contamination by various types of unexploded military ordnance.
Types of Explosive Hazards Found
According to the survey, contaminated areas include:
Bomb impact sites
Cluster munition strike locations
Various unexploded explosive remnants left behind during fighting
Authorities note that these hazards continue to threaten:
Farmers
Children
Local residents
Construction workers
Returning displaced families
Even years after conflicts end, unexploded ordnance can remain active beneath the soil.
Clearance Operations Continue
Alongside surveying, CMAC teams have continued removing explosive hazards from priority areas.
During the first half of 2026, demining teams supported the reopening of land around:
Thousands of residential homes
Schools
Health centers
Buddhist temples
Public infrastructure
Officials say these operations are essential for allowing communities to safely rebuild their lives.
Thousands of Dangerous Items Destroyed
CMAC reported destroying more than 8,400 explosive items during the first six months of the year.
These included a significant number of cluster munition remnants, along with other unexploded military ordnance.
Each destroyed device reduces the risk of future civilian casualties.
Mine Risk Education Reaches Millions
Removing explosive hazards is only one part of Cambodia's strategy.
Public education remains equally important.
During the same period, CMAC conducted more than 14,000 community awareness sessions, reaching approximately 1.37 million people.
These programs teach residents how to:
Recognize suspicious objects
Avoid dangerous areas
Report explosive items safely
Protect children from accidental contact
Experts emphasize that public awareness has played a major role in reducing accidents.
Challenges Remain
Officials acknowledge that the newly identified contaminated area may not represent the full extent of the problem.
Some locations remain inaccessible because of terrain or security conditions, meaning additional contaminated land may still be discovered in future surveys.
Continued mapping and clearance efforts are expected to remain a national priority.
Impact on Communities
Explosive remnants of war affect communities in several ways:
Prevent safe farming
Delay infrastructure projects
Limit economic development
Restrict access to forests and farmland
Create long-term safety concerns
For families returning to former conflict areas, land clearance is often the first step toward rebuilding homes and livelihoods.
Why UXO Clearance Matters
Humanitarian demining not only saves lives but also supports broader national development.
Safe land allows communities to:
Expand agriculture
Build schools
Construct roads
Develop tourism
Encourage investment
Improve living standards
Experts note that every hectare cleared creates new opportunities for local economic growth while reducing the risk of future accidents.
Looking Ahead
Cambodia's mine action authorities say surveys and clearance operations will continue wherever access is possible.
The long-term goal is to reduce risks to civilians, restore safe access to affected communities, and support reconstruction in areas impacted by past conflict.
Although significant progress has been made over the years, officials stress that unexploded ordnance remains a serious humanitarian issue requiring sustained national and international cooperation.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes publicly reported information about unexploded ordnance clearance efforts. Figures may be updated as additional surveys and clearance operations are completed.
0 Comments