U.S. has provided over $235 million for mine clearance since 1993

• Proeksa Meas
• 29 September 2026
• Local News
• 601 Views

Siem Reap: Decades of sustained partnership between the United States and Cambodia continue to generate practical benefits for local communities in Siem Reap, spanning cross-border law enforcement, healthcare infrastructure, cultural preservation, and landmine clearance. On September 11, 2026, U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Aleks Zittle held bilateral discussions with Siem Reap Vice Governor Yun Linne to review joint initiatives and explore expanded economic opportunities for U.S. investment in the region.

A central focus of the meeting addressed intensifying law enforcement collaboration to combat transnational online scam operations that target citizens in both nations, alongside joint efforts against child exploitation and drug trafficking. To build operational capacity, the U.S. government has trained over 170 Cambodian police, immigration, and airline personnel this year, sharpening technical skills to bolster public safety and disrupt fraudulent networks.

Beyond security measures, bilateral cooperation extends directly to educational growth, public health, and heritage protection. Since 2004, Washington has invested more than $4 million to restore the ancient Phnom Bakheng Temple, supplemented by a new $75,000 grant to modernize the local American Corner to expand educational resources for the regional workforce. At Siem Reap Provincial Hospital, U.S.-funded health programs continue to strengthen health security by supporting targeted efforts to eliminate HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. Furthermore, with more than $235 million invested in Cambodian mine clearance since 1993, U.S. support has cleared over 715 million square meters of landmine-contaminated terrain—equivalent to more than 100,000 football fields—allowing hundreds of thousands of residents to safely reclaim their land.

Remarkably, the practical achievements highlighted during the bilateral meeting in Siem Reap reflect the enduring value of U.S.-Cambodia ties. Combining lifesaving humanitarian demining and public health assistance with robust law enforcement cooperation and cultural preservation ensures safer, more prosperous communities in Siem Reap while solidifying long-term diplomatic and economic ties between the two nations. (read more)

• Cooperation and networking
• Mine clearance
• UXO
• USAid