ASEAN AND REPUBLIC OF KOREA CELEBRATE REGIONAL IMPACT OF LANDMARK PROGRAMME FOR LANDMINE VICTIMS

ARMAC Wraps Up Four-Year Initiative Empowering Survivors Across Five ASEAN Member States

Phnom Penh, 24 July 2025 – The ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC), in collaboration with the Republic of Korea, ASEAN partners, and technical contributors, concluded the Enhance Victim Assistance Programme in the ASEAN Member States with a high-level Wrap-Up Event today in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The programme, launched in 2021 and funded through a generous USD 2 million contribution from the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), supported national and regional efforts to strengthen victim assistance services across five mine/ERW-affected ASEAN Member States—Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Singapore, through SingHealth, also contributed vital technical support, enhancing regional capacity in psychosocial and mental health care.

In her remarks, Ms. Rothna Buth, Executive Director of ARMAC, emphasized the human dimension of the initiative:

“This programme was never just about policies or systems—it was about people. Survivors, families, and communities who live with the legacy of conflict. With resilience and dignity, they have shaped this journey, and ARMAC is proud to have walked alongside them, together with our committed partners from across ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.”

Key achievements over the four-year period include:

• Engagement of over 5,700 survivors and affected persons through national consultations and needs assessments;

• Completion of comprehensive research and feasibility studies in all five target countries—Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam;

• Development of Regional Guidelines and Country Profiles to inform victim assistance policies and enhance service delivery at both national and regional levels;

• Capacity building of 243 professionals in psychosocial support and victim assistance across ASEAN Member States;

• Establishment and initial launch of the ASEAN Regional Victim Assistance Network (VAN), featuring a dedicated digital platform to promote knowledge exchange, coordination, and sustainable regional collaboration;

• Production and premiere of the Voice of Victim documentary, presenting compelling testimonies of explosive ordnance survivors from across the region.

At the event, ARMAC officially handed over a suite of policy tools, national studies, and training materials to ASEAN Member States. These legacy resources are expected to guide future action, ensuring victim assistance remains a central component of ASEAN’s humanitarian mine action strategies.

H.E. Lee Jang-keun, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to ASEAN, reaffirmed Korea’s deep commitment to mine action and ASEAN solidarity:

“This programme exemplifies the true spirit of partnership between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea. The impact is not only measured in statistics or reports, but in the individual stories of resilience and renewed hope—as captured in the documentary Voice of Victim. Korea firmly believes that investing in programmes like this is an investment in peace, stability, and fundamental human dignity. We are pleased to share that discussions for a second phase are now underway”

Echoing this commitment, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, emphasized the strategic and humanitarian importance of the programme

“This flagship initiative empowers landmine victims not merely to recover, but to lead and inspire as agents of change within their communities. The Victim Assistance Network and digital platform will play a critical role in strengthening coordination and support services across the region. I commend ARMAC and all collaborators for this significant achievement, which brings us closer to a mine-free ASEAN”

The Government of Malaysia, current Chair of both ARMAC and ASEAN, emphasized that the initiative reflects effective, impactful regional collaboration rooted in ASEAN values of peace, security, and inclusive development.

ARMAC expressed deep gratitude to SingHealth and the Government of Singapore for their pivotal role in delivering professional training in mental health and psychosocial support—key components of sustainable victim assistance systems.

As ASEAN’s official regional body for mine action, ARMAC reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening regional capacity, fostering cooperation, and elevating survivor voices in policymaking.

“This is not the end—it is a call to continue,” concluded Ms. Buth. “Together with our partners, ARMAC stands ready to deepen our impact and realize a shared vision: a mine-free ASEAN where all survivors are empowered to live with dignity and hope.

End of Press Release