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Thailand: Government of Japan provides assistance for landmine clearance in Sa Kaew Province(Thai Press Reports Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Section: General News - The Government of Japan is extending Grant Assistance for the Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP) to the Clearance of Unexploded Shells and Antipersonnel Landmines in Sa Kaew Province project. H.E. Mr. Hideaki Kobayashi, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of Thailand, and Senator Kraisak Choonhavan, Chairman of the General Chatchai Choonhavan Foundation, signed the contract on March 3, 2006 at the Embassy of Japan. At the request of the General Chatchai Choonhavan Foundation, the Japanese Government has agreed to fund the one year operational costs for clearance of unexploded shells and antipersonnel landmines in Nong Aean Village, Takham sub-district, Arantaprathet district, Sa Kaew province. The total grant assistance amounts to US$ 317,821, or approximately 12.4 million baht. Many landmines were laid during the Cambodian civil war in the latter half of the 1970s along the Thai-Cambodian border. In the Nong Aean area, the villagers who had taken refuge came back to their own land several years ago after a long absence, and restarted agricultural activities. However, they faced the danger of landmines when trying to plow their farmland. Besides this, as many people passed through this area from the Cambodian side, there is the risk of entering a mined zone unawares. The General Chatchai Choonhavan Foundation is the only local NGO which implements landmine clearance in Thailand. Now it has about 40 professional personnel. This time they will implement a survey of Unexploded Shells and Antipersonnel Landmines in a number of areas totaling approximately 300 thousand square meters along the border in cooperation with TMAC (Thailand Mine Action Center). Through this project, it is expected that the safety of the residents will be secured and their incomes will increase by expanding their safe farming area. It is also expected to ensure that Cambodians who pass through this area will be safe and the misery caused by mine injuries will end. The Government of Japan is willing to support projects that will benefit human security through the GGP scheme. (Embassy of Japan in Thailand: March 2006) |