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Cambodia Diary
February 22, 2002
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O’kroach village is situated in Trapaing prasat commune, Tra paing prasat District, Oddarmeanchey province about 19 km to the south of Tra paing prasat town.
O’kroach village is an isolated village, which was instability, complicated, suffers of laying mines during the last 2 decades of fighting. The thick jungle is covered this village. Mines and Uxos are scattered close to their houses.
During the survey of O’kroach village, EOD team destroyed many mines and uxos there. The villagers were hopeful that this mine village would be cleared.
On 5th February, 2002 The demining teams of HALO were being deployed in O’kroach village and they are staying there for a cycle and a week day off.
Every morning of working cycle, demining teams get up early to prepared demining tools, parade and walk to minefield.
O’kroach village minefield was being funded by AAR/TBS is situated about 57 km away from The HALOTrust Anlong veng accommodation and it takes 1 and half hour drive.
The hot season is coming, the sun shining, the ground is hard and it caused difficult to demining teams. Though it is difficult to demind but average of clearance statistic stays as the same as wet season. Even it hard work, he is still happy, but he is worried about health because it is hot and it might be got diseases such as cholera, diarrhea etc.
A 34 year-old deminer named Chom Buthoeun in section commander No 18 is working in O’kroach village minefield was happy that found many mines and Uxos since he has worked for The HALOTrust. In this week, he found one mine is type 69 improvised. He fells not fear because he follows the demining procedure of operation.
Chom Bunthoeun was born in Stong district, Kom pong Thom province. He married and has a child, he was served as the soldier of government for fighting with Khmer Rouge forces.
In 1998, Anlong Veng was the strong hold of Khmer Rouge and its forces integrated with government. Few months later his family moved to Anlong veng
In 1999, The HALOTrust Anlong Veng recruited him to be a deminer. On behalf of family he would like to expresses his thanks and gratitude to The HALOtrust which helpfulness to give him a job and a good salary that can support his family.
He highly appreciated and strongly appealed for AAR/TBS keep funding to The HALO Cambodia.
Best regards,
Chom Bunthoeun,
Section No 18
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