The New USAID Director Pledges to Strengthen Cooperation on Health Sector in Cambodia

The New USAID Director Pledges to Strengthen Cooperation on Health Sector in Cambodia 

Daily Update from Local Newspapers

March 21, 2013

  Phnom Penh: The new USAID Mission Director for Cambodia Mrs. Rebecca Black pledged to continue strengthening cooperation on health sector in Cambodia. During yesterday meeting with the Minister of Health H.E. Mom BunHeng, Mrs. Rebecca Black said she was very pleased to see Cambodia has received many achievements such as reducing the rate of maternal and infant mortality as well as the rate of HIV spreading. She added that the USAID will further strengthen cooperation and provide humanitarian assistance to Cambodia so as to improve the health sector better.

According to H.E. Mom BunHeng, Cambodia has already been achieved the 5th Millennium Development Goal calls for improving maternal health as well as the achievement of Goal 6 in combating HIV, malaria and other diseases. In addition, Cambodia also has been presented with a Millennium Development Goals Award for its national leadership and commitment. Cambodia is recognized for efforts on HIV that have contributed to a decline in HIV prevalence from an estimated 2 percent (among adults aged 15-49) in 1998. Besides, Cambodia has also achieved the universal access target for treatment with over 90 percent of adults and children who in need of anti-retroviral therapy (ART), due to the expansion of the Continuum of Care program established in 2003. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 21 March)

USAID Offers US$700 Thousand to Cambodia’s Intestinal Worm Removal Program

USAID yesterday provided US$700 thousand in aid to the 2-year-worm removal program from 2012 to 2014 of National Center for Parasitology, Entomology and Malaria Control of Cambodia’s health ministry. The budget will be used for overseeing, researching and observing the condition of intestinal worm disease in Cambodia. (Rasmei Kam.)

USAID and Thaneakea Phum Launch Partnership to Improve Agricultural Finance for Cambodians

AKP Phnom Penh, January 27, 2012 –

The U.S. government is partnering with Thaneakea Phum (Cambodia) Ltd. to facilitate US$ 2.71 million in loans over the next four years to underserved farmers and micro, small, and medium agricultural enterprises operating in the provinces of Battambang, Kampong Thom, Pursat, and Siem Reap, according to the US. Embassy’s press release today.

The formal agreement establishing the partnership was signed yesterday between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Thaneakea Phum at a ceremony at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.

“The American people are proud to encourage private-sector lending in Cambodia to support rural agriculture. This is vital to fostering economic development and strengthening rural livelihoods in the country,” said Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Jeff Daigle.

This new collaboration will help Thaneakea Phum issue loans that are larger in size and with longer repayment schedules. Strengthening the ability of domestic microfinance institutions to lend to underserved populations will enable farmers and owners of smaller agricultural enterprises to improve their lives, reduce poverty, and spur rural regional growth, the press release said.

Michael Spingler, Chairman of the Board of Thaneakea Phum said Thaneakea Phum (Cambodia) Ltd. is entering into this new partnership to improve access to finance for rural agriculture generally because we believe that the future of this country’s economy lies in agriculture and agro-related products and services. 

The loans generated through this program will support the objectives of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future strategy and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to supporting food security and economic growth in Cambodia. By increasing affordable access to finance, especially for farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises, this program will advance the efforts of both the U.S. and Cambodian governments to reduce poverty and malnutrition.

By KHAN Sophirom

United States Launches Second Phase of Counter-Trafficking in Persons Program in Cambodia

AKP Phnom Penh, January 19, 2012 –

The United States this morning launched a four-year, US$5.4 million counter-trafficking in persons program designed to support Cambodian government officials and civil society to coordinate efforts and combat all forms of trafficking in persons.

The official launch of the Counter-Trafficking in Persons II (CTIP II) program took place at the Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and presided over by H.E. Sar Kheng, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Mr. Jeff Daigle, Chargé d’Affairs, a.i. of the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, H.E. Sar Kheng said Cambodia and the U.S. have actively cooperated in combating human trafficking, but the issue remains Cambodia’s challenge and priority. 

The Royal Government of Cambodia has acknowledged the importance of civil societies’ participation in fighting trafficking in persons, he stressed.

For his part, Mr. Jeff Daigle said CTIP II program will build on the notable achievements of CTIP I and continue working in the areas of coordination, prevention, protection, and prosecution, with an expanded focus on addressing labor trafficking and exploitation.

This program will be implementing by Winrock International in partnership with the Coordination of Action Research on AIDS and Mobility, South East Asia Investigations into Social and Humanitarian Activities, Legal Support for Children and Women, MTV EXIT Foundation, and other local civil society organizations.

By KHAN Sophirom

The USA Launches Second Phase of Counter-Trafficking in Persons Program

(Rasmei Kam.) January 20, 2012

Vol. 20, No. 5713

The USA Launches Second Phase of Counter-Trafficking in Persons Program

The United States yesterday launched a four-year, $5.4 million counter-trafficking in persons program designed to support Cambodian government officials and civil society to coordinate efforts and combat all forms of trafficking in persons. The event was presided over by DPM Sar Kheng and Chargé d Áffairs, Mr. Jeff Daigle, at the Le Royal Hotel. The new Counter-Trafficking in Persons II (CTIP II) program will build on the notable achievements of CTIP I and continue working in the areas of coordination, prevention, protection and prosecution with an expanded focus on addressing labor trafficking and exploitation.

New USAID Program Worth More than $ 5 M to Combat Human Trafficking

USAID on 04^th November announced a new 4 year program to fight human trafficking in Cambodia. The Counter Trafficking in Persons II (CTIP II), valued $ 5.4 M in USAID funding, will be implemented by Winrock International having significant experience in ending human trafficking and helping vulnerable populations.  The CTIP II program emphasizes specifically on addressing the needs of victims of forced labor and sexual exploitation and employs an innovative strategy for providing victim support. It will build on the notable achievements of CTIP I and continue to promote constructive engagement and coordination between civil society and the Royal Government of Cambodia, and work in the areas of prevention, protection and prosecution to achieve the following objectives: 1) enhance the RGC capacity to design, lead, coordinate, and evaluate in-country and regional efforts to combat all forms of human trafficking; 2) improve survivor protection and care services; 3) strengthen law enforcement capacity to identify and prosecute traffickers and related crimes; and 4) promote effective national and local prevention strategies.  This program will continue to build RGC capacity and ownership of national programs and efforts to combat all forms of human trafficking. (Rasmei Kam, 05 November)

U.S. grants 20.3 mln USD to Cambodia for economy, food, environment

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- The United States announced to provide another 20.3 million U.S. dollars to Cambodia to  support Cambodian priorities in economic growth, food security, and global climate change, according to a press release from the  U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh on Tuesday.

This is the second provision just within a week after the U.S. provided 35.42 million U.S. dollars to Cambodia last week for  health and education development.

The statement said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, minister of the council of ministers, and Flynn Fuller, mission director  of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will sign the grant agreement on Nov. 2 under the witness of the U.S.  Charg d'Affaires Jeff Daigle.

This bilateral agreement provides funds to support USAID's Helping Address Rural Vulnerabilities and Ecosystem Stability  ( HARVEST) Program that will support the Government of Cambodia's national development strategy by enhancing agricultural  production, developing post-harvest management capacity, increasing access to food, and preparing the country to adapt to  climate change, it said.

HARVEST will also strengthen the ability of civil society, the private sector, and the government to address food security and  climate change challenges in Cambodia.

The funds will be also used to support USAID's ongoing economic growth program for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises,  which will continue support for alleviating poverty in rural areas by increasing the productivity of family businesses.

The USA Provides Additional Flood Relief Aid

The USA embassy in Phnom Penh announced yesterday that, in response to the flooding in Cambodia, the United States government through the U.S Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) has been providing nearly $ 1.5 M to urgently address the critical needs in drinking water, sanitation, agriculture, and livelihoods support for people in Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Kandal, the most flood-stricken areas. This amount is in addition to the previously provided $ 50,000 in October. Save the Children will receive an additional grant for $ 750,000 and 31,500 people in Kampong Cham will be the beneficiaries of this grant. World Vision will receive a grant for $721,807 and will reach 27,000 affected Cambodians in Kandal and Kampong Thom provinces.  Overall, these organizations will reach approximately 58,500 of the most vulnerable and flood-affected people over the next six months. (Rasmei Kam)

United States Provides Additional Flood Relief Aid

AKP Phnom Penh, November 2, 2011 –The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), has provided additional flood relief aid of nearly US$1.5 million in response to the flooding in Cambodia.

The fund will urgently address critical needs in drinking water, sanitation, hygiene, agriculture, and livelihoods support in Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, and Kandal, three of the most-affected provinces, according to a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh.

This amount is in addition to the initial US$50,000 provided in October for distribution of emergency relief supplies, it said.

Save the Children will receive an additional grant for US$750,000, therefore 31,500 Cambodians will be the direct beneficiaries of this grant in Kampong Cham province. World Vision will receive a grant for US$721,807 and will reach 27,000 affected Cambodians in Kandal and Kampong Thom provinces.

Overall, these organizations will reach approximately 58,500 of the most vulnerable and flood-affected people over the next six months. Aid provided will support decontaminating affecteddrinking water sources, promoting good hygiene practices and rehabilitating latrines, and agricultural and livelihood needs.

Last month, the United States Government, through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), awarded Save the Children a grant for US$50,000 to aid in flood relief efforts in the Kampong Cham area, the press release pointed out.

By KHAN Sophirom