U.S. and HALO Trust Reinforce Demining Partnership to Clear Land and Support Community Development in Cambodia

• Proeksa Meas
• 24 September 2026
• Construction Focus
• 39 Views

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Aleks Zittle reviews demining progress in Siem Reap, highlighting over $52 million in funding that has safely restored more than 227 square kilometers of land since 2000

Siem Reap: Decades of bilateral mine action cooperation between the United States and Cambodia continue to convert hazardous, ordnance-contaminated land into safe, productive areas for local farmers and rural families. During an official visit to Siem Reap province, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Aleks Zittle met with field operational teams from The HALO Trust to inspect ongoing clearance operations supported through U.S. foreign assistance.

Since 2000, the United States government has invested more than $52 million to support The HALO Trust’s mine clearance mission across the Kingdom. This sustained partnership has successfully cleared nearly 2,800 minefields, safely destroyed over 142,000 items of unexploded ordnance, and released more than 227 square kilometers (88 square miles) of land back to local communities. The total area cleared—roughly equivalent to the size of Washington, D.C.—has been safely returned to Cambodian families for housing, agriculture, and local economic development.

The ongoing operations underscore the enduring strength and practical impact of the U.S.–Cambodia partnership. By addressing persistent landmine contamination, both nations demonstrate what can be accomplished through sustained diplomatic and technical collaboration focused on human safety and rural economic recovery.

The joint mine clearance efforts between the United States and The HALO Trust represent a pivotal contribution to Cambodia’s post-conflict reconstruction and community security. Returning safe, productive land to rural families not only protects human lives from explosive hazards but also provides the necessary foundation for long-term agricultural growth and sustainable economic development. (read more)

• Mine clearance
• UXO
• USAid