The positive side to the Cambodian-US spat is that, firstly the authorities are at last removing chemicals that have been sitting for decades in populated areas, affecting the locals' health. Secondly, they are also making an effort to provide the villagers with some health care, a hospital and a clinic, and they are going to monitor the health of the local population. Thirdly - and I can hardly believe this - local people are being educated to protect themselves by not approaching or touching these weapons.
It doesn't really matter why this happening now, just good that something is being done at last, because these are measures that should have been taken a long time ago.

Birth defects found in bomb village
13 October 2017
Three children in Svay Rieng province’s Korki commune are thought to have suffered birth defects or ill health resulting from exposure to chemical bombs.

Health Minister Mam Bunheng and his officials went to check the health of villagers living around bomb sites in the area yesterday, following the inauguration of a hospital in the province. Mr Bunheng said officials carried out health checks of children in the commune and found three had been born with abnormalities or fallen ill.

“We will hand over the issue an investigative group,” he said. “But our first conclusion is that they could have been affected by chemical bombs.” “There could be more children like this, so we will continue to carry out checks,” Mr Bunheng said, adding that the health of the mothers seemed to be fine.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister HE ordered the Health Ministry to examine villagers living within the vicinity of an estimated 15 chemical bomb sites in Svay Rieng province. “We need to investigate how this has affected the health of residents and their children,” he said.

Fifteen areas contaminated by chemical weapons were identified in Korki and Ampil communes, not including one that has already been cleared in Korki pagoda and school.

Deputy district governor Sour Mol said five villagers have reported skin complaints in the commune, including one child. “The people with skin complaints told us they had touched chemical substances from bombs,” Mr Mol said.
Three-year-old Meas Somrany was also born with an abnormally large head, while 14-year-old Som Sokhom has dwarfism, he added...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/5086184/bir ... b-village/