Southeast Asia’s landmine clearers face closure as global aid shifts to new wars

Humanitarian demining organizations in Southeast Asia, like Cambodian Self Help Demining, are facing potential closure due to a significant shift in global aid funding. Donors are redirecting financial support away from clearing legacy landmines and unexploded ordnance from past conflicts towards active war zones such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan, as well as more recent conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan. This redirection of funds, coupled with increased global defense spending, is leaving less money available for vital demining efforts. Consequently, organizations dedicated to removing these deadly remnants of past wars are struggling to maintain their operations.