A lethal harvest in Cambodia
In brief
HALO discovered an anti-tank mine just one metre from Chei's field.
When HALO found the anti-tank mine, it made me so afraid and made me think about what could have happened to my family. I am sure we would have all died if we had driven over this mine.
Pork Chei looks across the track bordering his land. He explains that during the rainy season the route often becomes flooded so they have to drive the tractor—loaded with crops and people—along the side of the track. Barely one metre away is a simple wooden stake painted yellow at the tip. This marks where HALO discovered an anti-tank mine.
It contained nearly 6kg of explosives.
Like parents across the world, Chei's main priority has always been to support his family. But for many years, the presence of landmines has made this an almost impossible struggle.
Shortly before marrying his wife, Chorn Ya, in 1985, Chei purchased a small plot of land in Pailin province in western Cambodia. The couple then settled in the village of Ba Huy Khmer Tboung. At this time, Chei was able to cultivate cassava on two hectares of land—earning him around $700 per year.
After my children were born, I had to use the land that had mines on it to farm.
As Chei's family began to grow, his income was no longer sufficient to feed and clothe his children. He needed to cultivate more land. But he knew the remainder of his smallholding held a deadly threat; landmines.
Faced with an impossible choice of seeing their family go hungry, or risking farming the dangerous ground, Chei and Chorn Ya attempted to clear the vegetation themselves. As they cut back the weeds, they found many landmines which they would then burn. One day, when Chorn Ya was burning back vegetation, it triggered a mine and she was very nearly killed.
Through great personal risk, Chei was able to sow maize on the mined land and increase his income to $1,200 per year. This was enough for him to afford to send his children to school, something which brings him great pride. However, Chei knew that his family could be seriously injured or killed when using this land.
Between December 2019 and July 2020, HALO worked to clear the family's land—discovering 37 landmines and one anti-tank mine. Now the landmines are gone, Chei and Chorn Ya no longer fear for the safety of their family.
My family and I are so happy that HALO has come to clear the mines. I am so excited about feeling free to use the safe land.
The extra area he can farm allows Chei to plan for the future. He can increase his income, making his family more resilient when difficulties arise, such as healthcare costs.
I believe that I will earn more than twice the money that I used to. I hope I will be able to build a bigger house in five years time and we will have enough food to eat and money for healthcare.
