Planning for rehabilitation of landmine affected areas in Cambodia : a case study in Malai Distraict

Author: Seng Hong

AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.RD-02-08

Year: 2002

Academic Program: Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP)

Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2002

Examination Committee: B.W.E. Wickramanayake (Chairperson); Soparth Pongquan, Jayant Kumar Routray (Examination Committee Members)

Abstract: Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world with its land contaminated by landmines as a consequence of the civil war that lasted for nearly 30 years (1970-1998). About 4,436 km2 are suspected of containing mine/UXOs. Landmines kill and/or maim people when exploded by stepping on them, restrict access to home construction land, agricultural land, pasture land, water resources, forests, and other social and economic services in the area. In short, landmines create serious socio-economic consequences by limiting the mobility of the people. Recognizing the consequences of landmines on people, Cambodia launched a program to remove landmines with the assistance from international community. Since clearing landmines is a costly and slow process, some believe that it may take up to 100 years to make all the land cleared of landmines. Though the problem is serious, the international funding available for demining is declining. The need to utilize the limited funds efficiently and effectively is increasing. This research examined the process of demining and system for rehabilitating the cleared land. This study was conducted in three villages in three communes of Malai district in Banteay Meanchey province. When the war was over, people who received land started clearing mines by themselves because they had to build houses and grow crops. While engaging in mine clearance many people got killed or maimed. Others became victims while engaging in day-to-day activities. Then came the demining agencies such as CMAC and HALO Trust. These two organizations have cleared a substantial amount of land but the progress is slow due to various constraints. The socio-economic condition of the people living in mine contaminated areas is very low. Majority of the people engage in farming but access to farm land is limited due to mines. Some families do not have their own land to build a house and live in rented premises. Number of people do not have land for farming. Most of them earn their living by working as farm laborers. H

Scholarship Donor(s): Katholischer Akademischer AuslanderDienst (KAAD)

Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.

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Search keywords index: Seng Hong Planning for rehabilitation of landmine affected areas in Cambodia : a case study in Malai Distraict Regional and Rural Development Planning (RRDP) Land mines — Planning — Cambodia;