The Ongoing Battle Against Landmines in Cambodia: A Dangerous Legacy

On the outskirts of Siem Reap, Cambodia, a short distance down a dusty road, lies a camp that prominently displays the American flag.

This flag is featured on the uniforms of those participating in the removal of landmines, a task spearheaded by Bill Morse, the initiator of Cambodia Self Help Demining.

"There's recognition of America's involvement in clearing mines here," Morse explained to CBS News. "However, the simplicity of setting a mine—just a brief moment—is contrasted by the lengthy and perilous process of detection and removal."

Self Help Demining is among several groups committed to this cause in Cambodia, one of the globe's most mine-laden countries.

"Tragically, some have lost their lives in this line of work," reflected Morse. "Every day, these individuals risk everything to address the hazardous remnants of past conflicts."

The Cambodian terrain remains riddled with millions of mines and unexploded munitions, artifacts of historical conflicts intensified by the Vietnam War.

During the 1960s and 70s, U.S. airstrikes inadvertently impacted Cambodian land, contributing to severe destabilization and eventually leading to extended periods of civil unrest.

Initially, it was anticipated that Cambodia would be free from mines by 2025, but with extensive minefields and continually emerging sites, this goal now seems unattainable.

In a recent operation, Morse's team, working under the forest canopy, uncovered and subsequently destroyed a Chinese anti-tank mine using TNT.

Although countless have perished, injuries from mines are even more common. A case in point is 37-year-old Poy.

When he was a child, an explosive device he mistook for a toy robbed him of his right arm and his sight in one eye.

Years later, while helping with mine clearance, another explosion severely burnt his face, sparing his life, but taking those of others around him.

"Miraculously, I've survived two separate incidents," Poy shared with CBS News. "It's nothing short of a blessing."

Anna Coren, a seasoned journalist from CBS News stationed in Hong Kong, is a recipient of the Emmy Award, dedicated to covering developments in the Asia-Pacific domain.