AAP
Australia is to provide $12 million to help clear landmines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia.
Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs Greg Hunt, Australia's special representative on mine action, said this announcement was to mark International Mine Action Day.
He said the money would help to clear explosives from millions of square kilometres of land across affected areas in Cambodia.
"Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily mined countries with up to six million landmines estimated to be scattered throughout the country," he said in a statement.
"According to the United Nations, close to six million of Cambodia's rural poor are affected by mines. A third of all victims are children.
"We will allocate $12 million through the Australian Agency for International Development, (AusAID) to the United Nations Development Programme's Clearing for Results program."
Mr Hunt said Australian aid, plus that from other countries, had helped to reduce mine and unexploded ordnance casualty rates from 3,000 to 450 a year.
He said Clearing for Results had proved its effectiveness, exceeding its land clearance target for 2006.
In 2006, 8.7 million square metres of land were cleared of mines, well in excess of the annual clearance target of 5.9 million square metres.
Mr Hunt said the program had also helped to combat the devastating effects of unexploded ordnance which now caused more casualties than landmines in Cambodia.
"Our additional funding to be disbursed over four years will help to continue the good work of the program and allow de-mining teams to continue clearance work," he said.
"Since 1996, Australia has committed around $50 million to mine action-related activities in Cambodia, including $2 million to Clearing for Results last year.
"Australia has pledged $75 million over five years to 2010 for global mine action activities."
Parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs Greg Hunt, Australia's special representative on mine action, said this announcement was to mark International Mine Action Day.
He said the money would help to clear explosives from millions of square kilometres of land across affected areas in Cambodia.
"Cambodia is one of the world's most heavily mined countries with up to six million landmines estimated to be scattered throughout the country," he said in a statement.
"According to the United Nations, close to six million of Cambodia's rural poor are affected by mines. A third of all victims are children.
"We will allocate $12 million through the Australian Agency for International Development, (AusAID) to the United Nations Development Programme's Clearing for Results program."
Mr Hunt said Australian aid, plus that from other countries, had helped to reduce mine and unexploded ordnance casualty rates from 3,000 to 450 a year.
He said Clearing for Results had proved its effectiveness, exceeding its land clearance target for 2006.
In 2006, 8.7 million square metres of land were cleared of mines, well in excess of the annual clearance target of 5.9 million square metres.
Mr Hunt said the program had also helped to combat the devastating effects of unexploded ordnance which now caused more casualties than landmines in Cambodia.
"Our additional funding to be disbursed over four years will help to continue the good work of the program and allow de-mining teams to continue clearance work," he said.
"Since 1996, Australia has committed around $50 million to mine action-related activities in Cambodia, including $2 million to Clearing for Results last year.
"Australia has pledged $75 million over five years to 2010 for global mine action activities."
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