By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 November 2008
Non-governmental organizations expressed concern for the government’s develop plans for the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable Tuesday, as Cambodia prepares for its annual donors meeting next week.
Cambodia will meet with international donors at its annual Consultative Group meeting Dec. 3 through Dec. 5, and is seeking at least $500 million in development aid.
But a group of three large umbrella organizations said Tuesday the aid money should be prioritized for land, agriculture and natural-resource management, as well as human development and good governance.
“We are requesting the government to re-correct the implementation of the development policy,” said Sek Barisoth, a program officer for Pact Cambodia, a group of non-governmental agencies. “It is unfair and not targeted to affect the poor and vulnerable.”
People are often forced off their land for development, he said. “We are very concerned that the policy of the government is negative, and some implementation of the policy is not clear.”
Government officials from various ministries will join the meeting next week.
Ou Vuddy, general director of the Ministry of Land, Urbanization and Construction, said the government could not accept all the recommendations from the NGO sector.
“It is different from the facts in all fields, so this report should be re-corrected,” she said.
Original report from Phnom Penh
25 November 2008
Non-governmental organizations expressed concern for the government’s develop plans for the livelihoods of the poor and vulnerable Tuesday, as Cambodia prepares for its annual donors meeting next week.
Cambodia will meet with international donors at its annual Consultative Group meeting Dec. 3 through Dec. 5, and is seeking at least $500 million in development aid.
But a group of three large umbrella organizations said Tuesday the aid money should be prioritized for land, agriculture and natural-resource management, as well as human development and good governance.
“We are requesting the government to re-correct the implementation of the development policy,” said Sek Barisoth, a program officer for Pact Cambodia, a group of non-governmental agencies. “It is unfair and not targeted to affect the poor and vulnerable.”
People are often forced off their land for development, he said. “We are very concerned that the policy of the government is negative, and some implementation of the policy is not clear.”
Government officials from various ministries will join the meeting next week.
Ou Vuddy, general director of the Ministry of Land, Urbanization and Construction, said the government could not accept all the recommendations from the NGO sector.
“It is different from the facts in all fields, so this report should be re-corrected,” she said.
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