Michael Raine Awarded OBE for Services to Humanitarian Mine Action

Michael Raine, Program Manager, APOPO Cambodia, receives an OBE [Officer of the Order of the British Empire] for services to Humanitarian Land Mine Clearance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Overseas.

Michael “Mick” Raine, Program Manager for APOPO in Cambodia, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to humanitarian landmine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal overseas. Outstanding contributions to the UK recognised in His Majesty The King’s New Year 2026 Overseas and International Honours list — includes Michael Raine’s OBE recognition. The New Year Overseas Honours list recognises the outstanding contribution of British nationals abroad or internationally.

The honour recognises Mick’s exceptional contribution to humanitarian mine action over more than four decades, during which he has played a pivotal role in making land safe for communities affected by conflict across the world.

Mick began his career as a Royal Navy Clearance Diver before transitioning into humanitarian demining. Over the years, he has led and supported major clearance operations in Somaliland, Bosnia, Iraq, Laos, Lebanon, and Vietnam, as well as other conflict-affected regions. His work with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Cyprus, South Sudan, and Somalia strengthened national explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capacity and improved safety standards in complex and active conflict environments.

APOPO celebrates Michael Raine’s OBE, recognising his exceptional contribution to humanitarian landmine clearance and explosive ordnance disposal worldwide.

Since 2022, Mick has served as program Manager for APOPO in Cambodia, overseeing large-scale clearance operations and supporting the continued development of innovative mine detection technologies. Under his leadership, APOPO’s Cambodia program has combined strong operational management with cutting-edge detection methods, including Mine Detection Rats (HeroRATs) and Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs).

APOPO in Cambodia: A Decade of Impact

APOPO began its mine action operations in Cambodia in January 2014, working in close partnership with the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and later Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and Humanity & Inclusion (HI). Over the past decade, the program has focused on reducing explosive contamination left by decades of conflict and returning land safely to local communities.

To date, APOPO’s mine action program in Cambodia has achieved the following results:

  • 8,008 landmines found and destroyed

  • 43,932 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO) found and destroyed

  • 556 small arms and ammunition found and destroyed

  • 73,392,161.3 m² of safe land returned to communities

This land has been released for agriculture, housing, infrastructure development, and community use, directly supporting livelihoods and long-term recovery in mine-affected provinces.

The Cambodia program is widely recognised for its efficient, evidence-based approach to land release, as highlighted in international mine action forums such as RevCon5. Landmine detection rats are able to search large areas quickly and safely, allowing demining teams to focus resources where they are most needed. The introduction of Technical Survey Dogs (TSD) has further improved accuracy and speed, supporting Cambodia’s progress toward becoming mine impact-free by 2030.

Alongside clearance operations, APOPO places strong emphasis on national capacity building, working closely with CMAC, government partners, and donors to strengthen Cambodia’s mine action sector and ensure sustainable, nationally led solutions.

A Collective Achievement

Michael Raine, Program Manager for APOPO Cambodia, has been awarded an OBE for over 40 years of humanitarian landmine clearance and EOD work worldwide.

On receiving the honour, Mick said:

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. Mine action is always a collective effort, and this recognition belongs to the dedicated national staff, international colleagues, partners, and communities who work every day to save lives and build peace. I remain committed to ensuring that people can live, work, and move safely without fear of landmines.”

APOPO congratulates Mick on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his unwavering commitment to Mine Action and the communities it serves.