Overview
Khmer Rouge forces led by Pol Pot took over Cambodia in 1975, resulting in the deaths of at least 1.5 million Cambodians from execution, forced hardship or starvation. Thousands of civilians fled to neighboring Thailand during 13 years of civil war. Following peace talks and UN sponsored elections in 1993, many refugees returned to find the country devastated. Government institutions had collapsed; farms and forests were in ruin and riddled with landmines. Many roads were destroyed.
Cambodia today
After decades of war and brutality, Cambodia has enjoyed relative peace for the past several years with progress in rebuilding a shattered infrastructure, society and economy. Though the situation in the country has improved, 46% of rural Cambodians still live in poverty and the UN estimates that 28% suffer from food shortages. The majority of the population relies on subsistence farming that provides only the most basic of needs. Cambodia also has one of Asia's highest rates of AIDS infection.
Concern in Cambodia
Since entering Cambodia in 1989, Concern has moved from directly implementing programmes on education, forestry, livelihoods and microfinance to working exclusively through local partner organisations. Concern now works through 17 Cambodian partners, including an award-winning microfinance bank, to provide training in:
• Improving income
• Alleviating food shortages
• Protecting forest resources
• Providing access to credit and savings
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