Cambodia
Cambodia is a low-lying tropical country, sitting on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand in South East Asia. Its hot, humid climate supports diverse forests, which cover 46% of the country.
Our work here began in 1992 and focuses on explosive clearance and risk education.
Situation in Cambodia
Landmines were laid during the ousting of the Khmer Rouge in 1979, and throughout the 80s and 90s. Over the decades, they’ve had a devastating impact on the people of Cambodia. Over 65,000 casualties have been recorded since 1979, resulting in 18,800 deaths and nearly 45,000 injuries. This includes 9,087 amputees.
Even after 30 years of peace and many years of mine clearance, Cambodians are still at risk. In 2024, 49 casualties were recorded by the Cambodian Mine Action Authority.
More than half of Cambodia’s minefields have been cleared. The rest are largely concentrated along the Thai border in the rural north-west, in an area known as the K5. As the population expands, families are forced to move onto mined land, putting their lives at risk.
HALO's work and impact in Cambodia
We employ around 1,200 men and women from mine-affected areas in Cambodia. Our teams clear hundreds of landmines every month.
They primarily work in minefields near the Thai border from Koh Kong to Preah Vihear, and in the south western province of Pursat. In 2025, we began to work on clearing explosives in the east of the country.
We also respond to calls from people all over Cambodia who have found explosives that need to be destroyed safely.
Keeping Cambodia's children safe
The threat to the people of Cambodia is still extremely high. Children walk past minefields to get to school every day. Their innate curiosity makes them vulnerable, so our safety training programmes are also vital here.
Arya and Molika live next to a minefield. HALO is clearing the land around their new school so they can walk to school and play safely in the surrounding area. Molika wants to be a farmer when she grows up and Arya, who loves learning science, wants to be a nurse. Our work will ensure Arya and Molika can have the opportunities every child deserves, to grow up in a safe place.
Other HALO programmes in Asia
Our work in Cambodia is funded by:
