Southeast Asia’s Landmine Clearers Face Closure as Global Aid Shifts to New Wars

The quiet work of demining groups in Southeast Asia has gone largely unnoticed, even as their efforts continue to save countless lives and clear a path for economic development. These organizations are facing an existential crisis, one that threatens to undo years of progress and imperil the very people they’ve sworn to protect.

The culprit is not the wars themselves, but rather the shifting tides of global politics and aid allocation. As donors increasingly focus on conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and Afghanistan, the humanitarian demining efforts in Southeast Asia are being left to wither. This shift in priorities is particularly disheartening given the significant progress made over the years.

Individuals like Poy, whose harrowing experience inspired him to join non-profit Cambodian Self Help Demining, are devastated by this trend. The arm and eye he lost to a landmine’s blast may have been the catalyst for his work, but it’s the dwindling international support that now threatens to derail their efforts altogether.

Southeast Asia’s demining groups have cleared millions of landmines and unexploded ordnance over the years, paving the way for communities to rebuild their lives without the constant threat of maiming or death. However, this progress is at risk of being undone if international support falters. The implications are far-reaching: regions will struggle to make progress towards long-term development goals, communities will remain vulnerable, and economic costs will continue to mount.

The World Bank estimates that landmines and unexploded ordnance can cost countries up to 20% of their GDP over several decades. In regions like Cambodia, this translates into significant financial burdens that could be better spent on education, healthcare, or infrastructure. This isn’t merely a humanitarian concern; it’s also an economic one.

This issue reflects a broader pattern of international priorities and the willingness – or lack thereof – to sustain long-term commitments in areas deemed “peripheral” by the global community. It raises questions about the nature of humanitarian aid and whether our efforts truly prioritize need over novelty.

As the world continues to shift its gaze towards newer, more pressing conflicts, it’s essential that we remember the unfinished work in places like Cambodia. The international community must consider the long-term consequences of abandoning these regions and recognize the value in sustained commitment. Anything less risks not only the lives of individuals but also the future prosperity of entire nations.

The clock is ticking for Southeast Asia’s landmine clearers, and it’s unclear how much longer they can operate without significant support. It remains to be seen whether the world will remember those in the margins – where the hardest work often goes unseen and unheralded.