Cambodia
Cambodia has a history of more than two decades of war and violence. Approximately one to three million Cambodians are estimated to have died during the Khmer Rouge regime. During the war in Cambodia, hundreds of thousands of Cambodians fled to Thailand in the 1970s, 80s and 90s to the seven refugee camps on the Thai border. Many refugees started to return in the early 1990s. By 1999 the influx of returning refugees ceased. Over the past decade the returning refugees have done much to rehabilitate their communities
Motivated
Many Cambodians are motivated to help their communities as volunteers, and established local groups which are becoming increasingly experienced and active in setting up and executing development projects.
The last battles with the Khmer Rouge took place in the Otdar Meanchey province, which is why it is still one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia. The 148,000 people in the 233 villages of Otdar Meanchey are mostly of returnees. The province also attracts large numbers of landless Cambodians. ZOA has been working with these refugees since 1999. ZOA focuses on coordinating support and developing communities, agriculture, and education. ZOA works in 150 villages, especially with female headed households, demobilised soldiers and the poorest members of society.
Transfer to local partner organisations
ZOA’s work in Cambodia is at a critical stage. ZOA plans to transfer all projects to local organisations by 2011. In recent years operations in the west of Cambodia have been transferred to local partner organisations. In the two eastern districts of ZOA remains active, although these projects are covered increasingly by local organisations. ZOA Cambodia is now focusing on the Otdar Meanchey province.
Local communities are indicating their needs. They have requested help with agriculture and land use, disaster readiness and capacity building. ZOA has a proven track record of setting up and carrying out projects in these sectors with the target group.
By 2011 ZOA aims for the people of Otdar Meanchey to be self-sufficient, and for local authorities to be in a position to eradicate poverty. ZOA’s projects are therefore focused primarily on setting up local communities, organisations and authorities. While corruption remains, the Cambodian government has become increasingly well-organised since the end of the war and several democratic elections. Local authorities are very cooperative with ZOA.
Directly to
Apeldoorn
