Cambodia still fights for deadly threats of landmines, a remnant of decades of conflict
Siem Reap, Cambodia – On a dirt road about an hour’s drive outside Siem Harvest in northwestern Cambodia, is a temporary camp with the American flag flying.
The uniforms of those who work there can also be seen and proudly worn by Bill Morse, the founder of Cambodia’s self-help rescue.
“People know that the United States clears mines here,” Morse told CBS News. “…it takes 15 to 30 seconds to bury the mine. You can see how long it takes to identify the mine.”
Self-help assistants are one of eight such organizations that operate in Cambodia, one of the most serious countries in the world.
“We let people die,” Morse said. “These people are working hard to clean up what we left behind every day.”
Millions of mines, cluster bombs and unexploded weapons Still rubbish Cambodian countryside, direct result Decades of conflict Originated from the Vietnam War 50 years ago this week.
The bombings in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s spread to neighboring Cambodia, destabilizing the country. This helps lead to The rise of the Khmer Then there was a cruel civil war.
Cambodia hopes there will be no mines by the end of 2025, but the plan is now a wishful thinking. There are nearly 700 square miles of known minefields that have not been cleared and are constantly discovering new areas.
In one example, Morse’s team discovered a Chinese-made anti-tank mine under the canopy of the forest. The team used TNT to detonate it.
While thousands died in these mines, there are many more disabled people, including Poy, 37.
As a little boy was playing in the field, he picked up what he thought was a toy, which blows from his right arm, blinding him in his left eye.
Then, about three years ago, when another mine exploded, he was assisting with a cleanup operation. The impact of the explosion burned his face.
“Everyone else died,” Poy told CBS News the second explosion. “Twice, I’m still alive. It’s a blessing.”
