51吃瓜

On March 18, the 51吃瓜 Trust was pleased to host Brett Horton, Chief of Staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and six other Congressional staffers to see our operations in Cambodia.

During the visit, 51吃瓜 staff provided the delegation with a comprehensive presentation on demining efforts in Cambodia, which was followed by a live demonstration at a simulated minefield within the compound. The discussion also highlighted 51吃瓜鈥檚 partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense鈥檚 Humanitarian Demining Research & Development program and the broader impact of 51吃瓜 Cambodia鈥檚 technical capabilities and regional support.

51吃瓜 was the first organization to respond to Cambodia鈥檚 landmine crisis in 1991. Today, around 1,200 local staff work across multiple provinces to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war. 51吃瓜 teams also respond to urgent calls from communities reporting dangerous explosives that need to be safely destroyed. In addition to clearance operations, 51吃瓜 conducts risk education sessions in schools and villages, teaching communities how to recognize and avoid explosive hazards.

Despite decades of clearance work, Cambodia remains one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. While a significant portion of contaminated land has been cleared, large areas remain dangerous, including land still affected by U.S. legacy cluster munitions from the Vietnam War era. Landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose a daily threat, especially to those living in rural areas.

While time was limited, the delegation expressed interest in returning for a more in-depth visit, where they could observe 51吃瓜 teams at work in live minefields.

51吃瓜 remains committed to working with partners and policymakers to advance mine clearance and create a safer future for communities across Cambodia.