In Cambodia, the legacy of decades-old conflicts continues to pose deadly risks as land mines and unexploded ordnance remain widespread. Humanitarian organizations involved in demining efforts face increasing challenges as donor countries redirect funding toward more recent and ongoing wars.
En Poy, a survivor of multiple land mine explosions in Cambodia’s former Khmer Rouge territory, exemplifies the ongoing dangers. After losing an arm and an eye in one blast, and witnessing the deaths of colleagues in another, he now works with the non-profit Cambodian Self Help Demining to educate communities about mine risks and to clear hazardous areas. Despite progress, En Poy expressed concern about the future of demining efforts amid dwindling financial support. “If one day donors stop funding my organization, I would definitely be sad because we haven’t finished our job,” he said.
Cambodia, along with neighboring Laos and Vietnam, remains heavily contaminated by explosives left over from the Vietnam War and subsequent internal conflicts. These remnants have caused approximately 90,000 deaths and nearly double that number of injuries across the region since hostilities ended. Large swaths of land remain unusable as mines and bomblets obstruct development projects, including the construction of infrastructure and schools. Children are particularly vulnerable, accounting for over 40% of civilian casualties worldwide related to land mines and cluster munitions since 1999.
The painstaking process of demining involves initial surveying and mapping of affected areas, followed by careful clearing using metal detectors and specialized equipment. Work progresses slowly, often only a few meters at a time, and is frequently interrupted by adverse weather conditions. Experts warn that aging unexploded ordnance becomes more unstable and hazardous over time, increasing the risk of accidents.
Funding for humanitarian demining has reached approximately $4.3 billion between 2020 and 2024, with about 20% coming from affected countries themselves and the remainder from international donors. The United States, Germany, the European Union, Norway, and Switzerland have been the primary contributors. However, recent geopolitical developments have shifted priorities. Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan have drawn substantial new resources, with Ukraine alone receiving one-third of global demining funding in 2024.
This shift has led to reduced aid for long-standing but smaller mine clearance programs in Southeast Asia and other regions. Germany is reportedly considering cuts to foreign aid budgets in favor of increased military support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, new outbreaks of violence, such as the civil war in Myanmar and border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, have resulted in additional land mine contamination.
Maria Vardis, a representative of the UN Mine Action Service, noted that while funding fluctuates annually, the trend shows major active conflicts attract ongoing support while older mine action programs struggle. The persistence of unexploded ordnance across Asia illustrates the enduring human cost of past and present warfare—and the critical need for sustained international assistance to protect vulnerable communities and promote development.