Funding boost for Cambodia’s hero mine-detecting rats NGO

The Belgian demining NGO APOPO, which is pioneering the use of mine-detecting rats in the former battlefields of Cambodia, has received funding from the German government to expand its mine-clearance work in the country. In November, the government gave the green light for APOPO to begin testing highly skilled African Giant Pouched Rats—nicknamed Hero Rats—on Cambodian soil. ... Germany’s funding will help the NGO deploy 180 specialists in Oddar Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces to work alongside the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), the organization said in a statement. “Funding from the German Federal Government will go far to help mine impacted communities and help rid the country of these deadly weapons. We look forward to working with our partner CMAC for this effort,” said Kim Warren, country director for APOPO. Over the past decade, Germany has provided over $15 million to Cambodia to support mine clearance operations.

Simon Henderson
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/funding-boost-for-cambodias-hero-mine-detecting-rats-ngo-54308/