IMCCD is an NGO that supports landmine clearance and community recovery in Cambodia, where an estimated 4 to 6 million mines laid during the civil war are said to remain. It is based in Tasaen Village, Kamrieng District, Battambang Province, described as the last stronghold of the Pol Pot forces and one of the most heavily contaminated areas.
Its approach is "participatory mine clearance." It hires villagers to create jobs, Japanese mine clearance experts teach the skills, and villagers themselves remove the mines in their village, aiming to reduce casualties, ease poverty and help the community recover. It works jointly with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), and the 16th joint project agreement signing ceremony was held in August 2026.
Its website reports that from August 2011 through the end of September 2026 it cleared 1,202 anti-personnel mines, 258 anti-tank mines and 2,021 unexploded ordnance, making 164 minefields totaling 785 hectares (about 167 Tokyo Domes) safe. Beyond clearance, it builds wells and schools, runs a Japanese language school, donates wheelchairs, develops local industry through cassava-based shochu, and supports international students, helping the village become self-reliant.
Key points
- A participatory approach in which villagers are hired and trained to clear the mines themselves
- Clearance results from August 2011 through the end of September 2026 are published on the website
- Looks beyond clearance to village development, including wells, schools and local industry
Why this organization's work stands out
Rather than treating mine clearance as work only for specialists, it links the work to jobs and skills for villagers. Removing danger is designed to support independent livelihoods as well.
Results are shown in concrete numbers, making it easy to picture the accumulation of work. There are also ways to take part, including donations, donation tax deductions and support through unused postcards.
Editor's comment
I pictured the day when villagers can head to their fields with peace of mind on land cleared of mines. It is moving that the villagers themselves take each of those steps.
The latest clearance status and activity reports are on the official website. Please take a look.