Germany provides financial support for the Mine Action Program

Enlarge image Signing Ceremony Mine Action Program (© S. Heppner - German Embassy) As has been the case in previous years, Germany donates 1,000,000 € for the Mine Action Program in Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces, thus enabling the continued mine clearance in Cambodia. The decontamination of land renders the same viable once again for farming, settlement or the construction of infrastructure. The signing of the agreement between the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Government of Cambodia took place on 1st February 2011 at the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh.

The signatories to the agreement were represented by His Excellency Dr. Wolfgang Moser, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Phnom Penh, and His Excellency Prak Sokhon, a Minister delegated to the Prime Minister and concomitantly Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority respectively. Present at the ceremony were also other high ranking officials such as the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister His Excellency Dr. Sok An who delivered the keynote speech. All speakers emphasized the urgency of the Mine Action Program. After all previous efforts Cambodia still is one if the most mine-affected countries in the world.

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority will not only use the donation for mine clearance but also for mine risk education, survivor assistance and other related mine action activities. Their focus is to render Cambodia's ground mine free. In the long term, they also want to apply their experience and expertise in foreign mine-affected regions. Germany's contribution to the Cambodian Mine Action Program reflects its commitment to humanitarian aid and the excellent bilateral relations between both nations.