The European Union (EU) has allocated approximately US$1.8 million to support the survey and clearance of cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Cambodia’s border provinces through an 18-month project led by the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and international non-governmental organisation APOPO.
The project, scheduled to run from October 2026 to March 2028, aims to accelerate clearance operations, improve community safety and support socio-economic recovery in areas affected by explosive remnants of war. CMAC and APOPO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the initiative, which has a total budget of €1.6 million funded through an EU grant.
Key Facts
Funding: €1.6 million, approximately US$1.8 million.
Donor: European Union.
Project duration: October 2026 to March 2028.
Implementation period: 18 months.
Cambodian implementing organisation: Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC).
International partner: APOPO.
Main activities: Survey and clearance of cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance.
Target area: Cambodia’s border provinces.
Primary objectives: Improve community safety, accelerate clearance operations and support socio-economic recovery.
EU-Funded Project Targets Explosive Remnants of War
The initiative, titled “Support for Stability and Recovery in Cambodia’s Border Provinces through Accelerated Survey and Clearance of Cluster Munitions and UXO,” is designed to address the continuing risks posed by explosive remnants of war in affected communities.
According to CMAC Director-General Heng Ratana, the project will focus on accelerating survey and clearance operations in Cambodia’s border provinces.
The EU grant provides €1.6 million, equivalent to approximately US$1.8 million, for the 18-month programme. The project began in October 2026 and is scheduled to continue through March 2028.
The planned activities are intended to help identify contaminated areas, remove explosive hazards and make affected land safer for communities.
The announcement did not specify the number of hectares to be surveyed, the quantity of unexploded ordnance expected to be cleared or the number of communities anticipated to benefit.
CMAC and APOPO Strengthen Longstanding Partnership
The project builds on cooperation between CMAC and APOPO that dates to 2014.
Heng Ratana highlighted APOPO’s role as a longstanding international partner, noting that more than a decade of joint operations had helped reduce the threat posed by unexploded ordnance in contaminated areas.
He also referred to explosive contamination associated with cluster munitions during the 2025 Thai invasion. This description reflects the account provided by the CMAC director-general in the source announcement.
The new agreement extends the partnership’s work on explosive-hazard survey and clearance, combining CMAC’s national mine-action role with APOPO’s specialised technical experience.
The collaboration is intended to support safer and more efficient field operations in areas where explosive remnants continue to pose risks to residents.
Mine-Detection Dogs and Rats Support Clearance Operations
An important feature of the CMAC-APOPO partnership is the use of specialised detection animals alongside human operators.
According to Heng Ratana, the collaboration has advanced technical capabilities through the deployment of mine-detection dogs and rats.
These animals can support explosive-hazard detection activities as part of a broader operational system involving trained personnel and appropriate clearance procedures.
The project announcement did not provide details on how many detection animals will be deployed, which specific technologies will be used in each target area or how operational resources will be distributed across the border provinces.
Nevertheless, the continued use of specialised detection methods reflects the technical complexity of locating and addressing explosive remnants of war.
Why Cluster Munition Clearance Matters for Border Communities?
Unexploded ordnance can remain dangerous long after the conflicts in which it was used. Contaminated land may expose residents, farmers and other land users to risks during everyday activities.
The presence of explosive hazards can also restrict access to land and complicate efforts to restore normal economic and social activity in affected areas.
By accelerating survey and clearance operations, the EU-funded project aims to reduce these risks and contribute to the recovery of border communities.
The programme’s stated objectives include improving public safety, supporting socio-economic recovery and promoting sustainable development.
Clearance operations can help make land safer for future use, although the actual benefits will depend on the locations surveyed, the hazards identified and the areas successfully cleared and verified.
EU Support and International Cooperation in Mine Action
The €1.6 million grant highlights the role of international funding in supporting Cambodia’s mine-action efforts.
CMAC and APOPO will draw on their technical expertise and operational experience to carry out the project’s survey and clearance activities. The EU funding is intended to help accelerate this work over the 18-month implementation period.
International partnerships are particularly relevant to mine action because operations require specialised personnel, equipment, technical procedures and sustained financial support.
The CMAC-APOPO agreement provides a framework for cooperation on the targeted border-province project, while the EU grant supplies the funding allocated to the initiative.
The announcement did not identify additional donors, other funding commitments or a detailed breakdown of expenditure across personnel, equipment and field operations.
Angkor Times Analysis: Turning Clearance Funding into Safer Communities
The EU-funded project represents a targeted investment in Cambodia’s efforts to address explosive remnants of war in border provinces. Its importance extends beyond the removal of individual explosive devices: effective clearance can help reduce risks to residents and support the return of safer conditions for daily life and economic activity.
First, the quality of survey work will be critical. Identifying contaminated areas is an essential step in directing clearance resources where they are needed. Accurate survey results can help establish operational priorities and reduce uncertainty about the risks facing affected communities.
Second, implementation and verification will determine the project’s practical impact. The €1.6 million budget and 18-month timeline establish the programme’s scale and duration, but the announcement does not yet provide measurable clearance targets. Reporting on land surveyed, hazards removed and areas verified as safe would help stakeholders assess progress.
Third, technical cooperation can strengthen operational capacity. The longstanding CMAC-APOPO relationship and use of specialised detection animals demonstrate the role of technical expertise in mine action. Their contribution will depend on how effectively detection methods are integrated with trained personnel and established clearance procedures.
Finally, community safety should remain the central measure of success. Clearance operations are intended to reduce exposure to explosive hazards and support socio-economic recovery. The longer-term benefits will depend on verified results and the extent to which safer land enables communities to resume activities without unacceptable risk.
The project establishes a defined funding and implementation framework. Its ultimate value will be measured by the hazards addressed, the land made safe and the benefits delivered to affected border communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much has the EU allocated for cluster munition clearance in Cambodia?
The European Union has provided a grant of €1.6 million, equivalent to approximately US$1.8 million, for the project.
2. How long will the project run?
The project is scheduled to run for 18 months, from October 2026 to March 2028.
3. Which organisations are implementing the project?
The Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) and international NGO APOPO signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the initiative.
4. What will the project do?
The project aims to accelerate the survey and clearance of cluster munitions and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia’s border provinces.
5. What is APOPO’s role in Cambodia?
According to CMAC Director-General Heng Ratana, APOPO has been a key international partner of CMAC since 2014. Their cooperation includes technical approaches involving mine-detection dogs and rats alongside human operators.
6. Why is unexploded ordnance clearance important?
Unexploded ordnance can threaten residents and restrict the safe use of contaminated land. Clearance aims to reduce these dangers and support community recovery.
7. How many hectares will be cleared under the project?
The supplied announcement does not specify a target number of hectares or a projected quantity of explosive hazards to be removed.
8. How could the project support local economic recovery?
By reducing explosive hazards and making verified areas safer, clearance activities may help communities regain access to land and support economic and social activities. The specific outcomes will depend on project implementation.