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Cambodia Diary
June 21, 2002

O’Kroch Village 1 minefield is situated in O’kroch Village, Tra Paing Prasat Commune, Tra Paing Prasat District, Oddar Meanchey Province about 19 km to the South of Tra Paing Prasat town. The road to O’kroch Village is passable during the dry season but in the wet season access is extremely difficult. This is due to flooding and the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance to the sides of the road. If we travel by car, it takes nearly 1 and half hours from Anlong Veng to reach this village. O’kroch is an isolated remote village with high levels of poverty. The village was controlled by the Khmer Rouge and this resulted in protective minefields being laid around it. It came under attack many times from Government troops during the 2 decades of fighting. Mines, unexploded ordnance and debris of war are close to the houses of villagers. The HALO deminers are deployed in O’kroch minefield carrying out demining for 24 day cycles prior to receiving 5 days holiday. Clearance of O’Kroch village minefield 1 is funded by TBS who support 2 sections, one Land Rover, one GMC truck for emergency evacuation and operations support. The reason for clearance here is resettlement, direct casualty reduction and provision of wells. HALO has also repaired the road road and provided some household kits to vulnerable families. My name is Phoung Kim 32 years old, deminer in section No 17 and I have worked in O’kroch Village 1 minefield. I was happy that found many mines and unexploded ordnance since I have worked for HALO. In this week I found 2 mines. I was born in Stong District, Kampong Thom Province and I still live in the same province. I am married and have one child. I have worked for HALO for 4 years ago, since that time my family is all right. Living in the remote accommodation is good but a bit feels homesick because it is far away from family and relatives. I hope that in the future, Cambodia has no mine accidents. As a Cambodian, I would like to express my thanks to The Japanese Government and Association Aid for Refugees/ Tokyo Broadcasting Service who have funded The HALO Trust Cambodia.

Best regards