Landmines in Cambodia: Past, Present, and Future By Wade C. Rober ...

initial impact is considered unexploded ordnance (UXO). Reasons for ordnance not exploding include soft soil, landing in water, slowed travel speeds resulting from dense foliage, poor manufacturing design, mistakes made during assembly, water damage, and low drop altitudes. Specific ordnance was actually designed not to explode on impact but rather when shaken or rattled.¹³ UXO or dangerous unexploded devices (DUD), as they are commonly referred to in colloquial jargon, remain dangerous despite their harmless appearance. According to failure rate estimates, as much as 324,000 tons (648,000,000pounds) could have existed in Cambodia beginning in 1975. Postwar interaction with UXO has led to tens of thousands of individuals becoming maimed and killed as a consequence. Accordingly, UXO that originally sat hovering in US war planes continues to pose a threat to those living within Cambodia more than 30 years after it was dropped.¹⁴

1.6.2. Royal Government Initiatives

––Rae McGrath¹⁵

Cambodians have historically viewed both the Vietnamese and Thai through a lens of contempt. Both Thailand and Vietnam are guilty of numerous successful efforts involving stealing land from Cambodia. As bombing raids became commonplace throughout the eastern half of Cambodia, however, a new non-Asian enemy was quickly established. Western powers were seen as authoritative, invasive, controlling, and ultimate indiscriminate executioners.

Left without options, Cambodians fled their home villages. Those not taking refuge with the Khmer Rouge left for provincial capitals and eventually the national capital, Phnom Penh. Cambodians gathered en masse in the heart of their country. Those leaving their bombarded homes expected some degree of assistance and reprieve from family members, friends, and the government. Initially, stockpiles of food were rationed by