U.S. Raises Mine-Action Support for Cambodia to $13 Million in 2026

U.S. Raises Mine-Action Support for Cambodia to $13 Million in 2026

PHNOM PENH, Sep. 1, 2026 — The United States has increased its support for landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance in Cambodia to $13 million in 2026, in response to new needs following the 2025 border conflict, bringing total U.S. mine-action assistance to Cambodia since 1993 to $235 million.

For more than three decades, U.S.–Cambodia cooperation on mine action has helped make communities safer and return contaminated land to productive use.

Since 1993, U.S.-supported operations have cleared and released more than 714.6 million square metres of contaminated land—an area equivalent to approximately 100,000 FIFA-standard football pitches.

The operations have also destroyed more than 110,000 Chinese- and Soviet-made landmines and approximately 550,000 pieces of UXO, including cluster munitions.

The United States said the impact of mine clearance extends far beyond removing explosives from the ground. Cleared land creates new opportunities for agriculture, regional tourism and sustainable economic development, helping communities make productive use of land that was previously considered too dangerous.

The U.S. also highlighted its close cooperation with the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and the Cambodia Mine Action Centre (CMAC), as well as Cambodia’s highly skilled demining personnel.

Following the 2025 border conflict, the partnership has expanded life-saving clearance operations into border communities affected by the recent conflict, according to the U.S. statement.

The United States said the long-running partnership is ultimately helping more Cambodian families live and work safely on land that was once too dangerous to use, while supporting Cambodia’s broader development and recovery efforts.