World Vision assist 174,000 children in capital, 10 provinces

IN THE past year, the Disaster Management Programme of World Vision International (Cambodia) reached 208,985 people, including 174,798 children.

Its January 8 report said the programme had provided food and supplies, as well as child protection awareness, to the people of 39 communes in Phnom Penh and 10 provinces including Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Kratie, Kampong Speu, Takeo, Kandal and Kampong Chhnang.

“World Vision Cambodia declared a Category I National Response to flooding on October 14. In collaboration with the authorities, we assisted the affected households through multi-sectorial relief interventions. These included food security, WASH, hygiene kits, nonfood-items and child protection awareness,” it said.

A total of 204,470 sachets of P&G water purifier were distributed to flood-affected households in 19 areas. The majority of the deliveries were done in collaboration with the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM).

Chea Kimthan, disaster management manager at World Vision Cambodia, told The Post that in the past year, the organisation had responded to the Covid-19 pandemic and floods. It has implemented a new programme, which focuses on two methodologies – community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM) and Safe School Framework (SSF).

He said the two methods helped the programme to increase the capacity of its community partners, enabling them to protect and take care of their own populations, especially children, who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of disasters.

“The SSF keeps schools safer and gives resilience to students and teachers in the face of disasters. We support the implementation of this framework through many methods, including direct activity with target schools and other partner NGOs,” he continued.

Kimthan explained that CBDRM is a community-driven process. Local populations actively take part in identifying, analysing, mitigating, monitoring and evaluating disaster risks to reduce their vulnerability and increase their capacities to cope with shock and stress. They also anticipate, plan and reduce impacts, while improving disaster response and resilience.

He said the organisation remains committed to building disaster-resilient communities.