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Cambodia
SNAPSHOT
Date of independence: 1953
Capital: Phnom Penh
Population: 14 million
Annual income per person: $430
Source: World Bank Development Indicators
USAID IN CAMBODIA
www.usaid.gov/kh/
CONTACTS
Mission Director
Erin Soto
USAID/Phnom Penh
U.S. Embassy Phnom Penh
Tel: 855-23-728 300
Desk Officer
Deidra Winston
Tel: (202) 712-5377
Email:DWinston@usaid.gov 
A client displays her designated plot number during land measurements on the river island of Koh Pich, near Phnom Penh. A USAID-funded legal advocacy project protects the rights of an island population, focusing public attention on land rights.
(Photo: PILAP/Kim Leng) Overview
Although Cambodia has experienced steady growth since 1999, the economy is fragile and undiversified. The government is hampered by weak institutions and rampant corruption. The ruling party strives to monopolize political power, although the recent 2007 local elections and anticipated 2008 national elections hold promise for a more normal and open political environment. Other challenges are poorly developed and under-funded health care and education systems. Infectious diseases such as avian influenza, HIV/AIDS, TB and dengue are serious concerns. USAID’s objectives in Cambodia are to combat corruption, strengthen key political rights and civil liberties; improve private sector competitiveness and the enabling environment for investment; strengthen national health systems and improve Cambodians’ health; and improve basic education through grade 9.
Programs
Governing Justly and Democratically
USAID engages with human rights organizations, identified reformers, and judicial professionals to combat corruption, strengthen key political and civil liberties, improve human rights, and lay a foundation for reform. By informing and fueling the public debate and supporting reform-minded actors and institutions, USAID is building the political will for change. Civil society organizations informing Cambodians about the impact of corruption and advocating passage of an international-standard Anti-Corruption law have been increased from one in 2004 to more than 30 in 2006, and over 300,000 citizens have signed petitions calling for such a law. USAID efforts to educate local governments on the political norms of partnership, participation, transparency and accountability, reached 69 communities in 2006 and will expand to 232 in 2007, while training programs have enhanced the quality of judges, lawyers and judicial staff. In 2007, 108 lawyers improved their advocacy, legal analysis and reasoning skills, and ten law professors now use interactive teaching techniques. Over 10,500 people were trained in human rights and protection.
Investing In People – Health
The health status of Cambodian women and children is low, and maternal and newborn deaths are unacceptably high. Avian influenza is a threat; tuberculosis affects some 70% of people; and drug-resistant malaria is a growing problem. USAID is improving maternal and child health by establishing national policies and strengthening national systems, improving clinical skills, expanding community outreach, providing community education, and improving access to quality services. In the area of infectious disease, USAID support of a national TB infection control program and the expansion of services at the community level are proving highly successful, while an Avian influenza program has built an effective national communicable disease outbreak response and containment capacity. USAID programs have helped reduce HIV prevalence in Cambodia from 3% in 1998 to less than 1% in 2005. Targeted prevention, care and treatment services are key features of USAID’s continuing support for mitigating the burden of HIV/AIDS.
Investing In People – Education
Only about 48% of Cambodia children go on to secondary school. A literacy gap remains between women and men. USAID is improving education quality and access by training teachers in studentcentered teaching methods, assisting school directors to measure school performance, and strengthening the leadership of the educational system. A major achievement in 2006 was the approval and introduction of a new curriculum and accompanying learning standards for grades 1 - 9.
Economic Growth
USAID's economic programs improve competitiveness and the investment environment. This includes strengthening productivity of the micro, small and medium enterprises that employ most of the population, and the larger scale garment factories. Efforts also include workforce development, labor dispute resolution, and generating private sector demand for policy, legal, and regulatory reforms. Since 2006 over 1,000 entrepreneurs have received training and technical assistance resulting in average sales increases of 20 – 70%. Over 800 of these entrepreneurs formed business interest groups that are now advocating for policy and regulatory reforms. Over 150 garment industry workers and managers have been trained to enhance productivity and develop industry-wide work force improvements, and industrial labor relations have been improved by USAID training more than 70 conciliators, and helping obtain over 40 collective bargaining agreements and the successful arbitration of over 150 labor dispute cases.
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