In 1989, Action Against Hunger launched programmes in Cambodia in a relatively difficult post-crisis environment. Numerous events - such as the Indochina War, the terror regime of the Khmer Rouge during which more than a million people lost their lives, and the invasion and occupation of the country by Vietnamese troops - have stricken Cambodia. Despite the prospect of political stability, the situation remains very precarious for Cambodia's population.
For 13 years, Action Against Hunger provided emergency assistance to people affected and displaced by conflict. In 2002, the emergency phase gave way to rehabilitation programmes financed by ECHO. These activities aim at restoring access to drinking water in the region of Mondolkiri, in the north-east of the country, and at limiting economic damage from recurrent flooding of the Mekong river in the province of Kampong Cham.
Drinking water for the Phnongs, an ethnic minority forgotten by everyone
At the end of 2002, Action Against Hunger launched water and sanitation programmes in Mondolkiri in the north-east of the country. This border region is difficult to access and is mainly inhabited by the Phnongs, an isolated ethnic minority. The Phnongs suffer not only from isolation, but also from poverty, floods and the rapid progression of epidemics.
Access to drinking water is a daily problem for this rural community. Traditional wells run dry during the dry season. The Phnongs are therefore obliged to collect water unfit for consumption, from ponds and rivers. In addition, bad hygiene practices increase the risk of diarrhoea and other water-related disease, especially among young children.
The departure of Eric Bosc, Action Against Hunger's country director, marks the end of our intervention in the region, which has improved access to drinking water in about 100 villages assisting some 50,000 people.
For one year and a half, Eric supervised the rehabilitation and construction of hundreds of wells and initiated hygiene and health promotion activities. He comments that the most difficult aspect of the project was the difficult access to most villages, especially in the rainy season. "We were about a one-day drive away from the capital. The only means for us to get to the villages was by motorcycle. It was especially difficult to reach villages during the rainy season. We were often soaked, the roads were full of potholes... one time we had to try to get the motorcycle across a flooded river. It did not stop raining for over a week."
Today, more than 80% of the province's population has access to clean drinking water in comparison to only 4% in 2002. The construction and rehabilitation of water points and wells, in addition to hygiene promotion sessions, has considerably decreased water-related diseases. Today, Action Against Hunger's presence is no longer required.
Mitigating flooding of the Mekong river
Disaster prevention in the province of Kampong Cham is another important programme run by Action Against Hunger.
Much of Cambodia sits at sea level. During the rainy season, the direction of the river flow reverses, leading to serious flooding. There is an international commission (MRC or Mekong River Commission) that is dedicated to the cross regional management of all problems related to the river.
In 1998, the government and local NGO's put in place an Early Warning System to warn the population about rising water levels and prevent them from losing their assets (seeds, food reserves, personal belongings...). In 2003, Action Against Hunger decided to support the government and local NGO's to strengthen the Early Warning System in the province of Kampong Cham, a region particularly affecting by floods from the Mekong river.
In addition to informing people about the risks of a rise in water levels, Action Against Hunger teams established a colour code, easily understandable for everyone, corresponding to 3 warning levels: red, yellow and green. Each colour is accompanied by a simple message, which is circulated in schools, communities and also broadcasted via radio. Thus, the green level asks families to prepare sand sacks to protect their homes and shelters, to get boats ready, prepare seeds and food reserves as well as personal belongings and to pay attention to news bulletins. The yellow level asks people to evacuate their animals, provide shelter for women and children and gather around the village chief. When the water level reaches the red warning sign, people have to evacuate to safe areas, and, in doing so, to respect hygiene rules and forbid their children to swim.
In collaboration with government representatives and the Red Cross, training sessions and exercises are organised in villages and schools to make sure everyone knows about the warning system and is able to follow the procedures without any problems.
Sandry Roussy, who is in charge of the 'Cambodia Flood Prevention Project' comments: "Action Against Hunger has done great work. Bit by bit, we have managed to make the population more vigilant, and better informed to be able to manage a potential evacuation by themselves. Bamboo has been planted to prevent soil erosion. Safe areas with latrines and wells have been established for people to seek refuge should flooding occur. In addition, 'flood kits' have been distributed to families."
The warning system was established in 2003. Since then, no major floods have occurred. "One night the Mekong river rose by one metre. Everyone was aware of the increasing water levels and people had prepared their belongings, waiting for further signal," says Sandrine. "This proved that our training had worked well and that it was time for Action Against Hunger to hand over to the government representatives."
Action Against Hunger left Cambodia after 18 years of assisting the population. Our projects have been carried out thanks to the work of our teams, particularly the national ones. Today needs have changed and it no longer fall under our mandate for assistance.