Landmines

Cambodia was heavily landmined during the Vietnam-America War and during the reign of the Khmer Rouge. It is estimated that 10 million landmines have been planted in Cambodia, and 4 million uncharted landmines still exist today. Everyday numerous people are killed or injured by landmines.

The landmines have taken a horrible toll on Cambodia. As soon as we arrived in Pnom Penh, the number of amputees was overwhelming. You can’t walk for two minutes without seeing somebody who has lost a limb to a landmine, it is that bad. I saw one man who was not an amputee, but had been burned all over the front of his body. He had lost an eye and his face was unrecognizable. It is absolutely tragic that normal citizens going about their daily lives are the victims of these awful weapons.