Northern Cambodia
Dec 29, 2010
Martin Oldfield
ConCERT is a non-profit making N.G.O. based in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It encourages Responsible Tourism and describes a range of ways to assist local people.
Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Asia. Warfare, environmental and social problems have resulted in widespread poverty but tourism is playing a key role in economic development. There is still much to be done and many Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are working with local people to improve their lives. ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism)is based in Siem Reap, near to Angkor Wat, and helps to promote the work of the local NGOs and also provides information on how we all can help.
What Are The Economic And Social Challenges In Cambodia?
Cambodia has achieved a degree of stability following many years of devastating conflict. It has enjoyed relatively solid growth over the last decade, but successive global food, fuel and economic crises, rising inflation, and a narrow export base are putting pressure on the economy. Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in South-East Asia.
The United Nations Development Program's 2009 Human Development Index ranked Cambodia 137 out of 182 countries in terms of quality of life and there has been gradual progress in reducing poverty. However, Cambodia's progress towards meeting its 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDG) is mixed. Good progress has been made in the areas of education (MDG2), HIV/AIDS control (MDG6) and de-mining (MDG9). Advances have been made in reducing extreme poverty (MDG1) although child malnutrition is a concern. Child mortality (MDG4) and maternal mortality (MDG5) rates remain disturbingly high. Rising levels of youth violence and violence against women (MDG3) in Cambodia are serious challenges. The ability of prisons and courts to protect vulnerable groups such as juveniles and women also remains weak.
Sharing land borders with Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, Cambodia faces a range of challenges. Organised crime, infectious diseases and climate change continue to threaten the region's stability and prosperity. Trafficking of persons for sexual or labour exploitation and narcotics trafficking are growing problems. HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria jeopardise the region's human resource capacity and vulnerability to pandemics and emerging infectious diseases is exacerbated by weak national health systems. Climate change impacts in the Mekong region are likely to be severe and threaten to erode development gains, impacting most heavily on the poor.
In 2010 the minimum wage for those employed in textile production rose by $5 per month and now stands at $61 per month. Targeting agriculture, however, is the most important as it accounts for 63% of the total number of the poor in the country. Poverty in Cambodia is overwhelmingly a rural phenomenon. Over 93% of the country’s total number of poor live in rural areas, 6.2% live in other urban areas, with a tiny percentage in urban Phnom Penh.
ConCERT – "Connecting Communities, Environment & ResponsibleTourism"
This a non-profit organisation based in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Their aim is to reduce poverty, and they do this by bringing together people who want to help, and local organisations that need the kind of support they can give.
ConCERT has information on a range of organisations that are engaged in humanitarian activities, all of whom need our support. They are well managed and financially transparent, and work in partnership with local people.
These cover many sectors and include health, education, HIV/AIDS, land mine clearance, support for land mine victims, environmental protection, care of children (orphanages, day care centres and schools) women and vulnerable people, infrastructure projects, agricultural development, crafts and skills training.
Improvements in all aspects of education, coupled with improvements in agricultural efficiency and output, will help to lift the greatest number of people out of poverty and many of ConCERT’s linked organisations are working to support the government’s activities in these areas.
Why is ConCERT based in Siem Reap?
The rapidly developing town of Siem Reap has on its doorstep the majestic Angkor World Heritage site. Angkor Wat is the largest religious building in the world. Nearby is Tonlé Sap, the largest fresh water lake in South–East Asia with its unique eco-systems and floating villages.
Fascination with these man made and natural wonders has driven a rapid expansion in tourism in Siem Reap. Yet in the local province half the people live below the poverty line.
So What Can We Do?
The ConCERT website lists the range of NGOs working with local people on a range of community projects and on poverty alleviation. We can get involved in many different ways:
•providing resources – materials, equipment, donations, longer term sponsorships,
•ask what your chosen organisation needs - it is best not to assume and buy things beforehand,
•becoming an ambassador to promote and support your chosen organisation, both in Cambodia and at home – setting up support groups, arranging promotional and fundraising events, developing links with your local schools and other organisations,
•volunteering – many organisations offer the chance to volunteer. Some require specialist skills, others need just enthusiasm.
How Can I find Out More About ConCERT and the local NGOs?
You may wish to look at the website, or send an email to info@concertcambodia.org, call on (+855) 063 963 511, or if you are visiting the area then drop in at the ConCERT office in Siem Reap.
ConCERT is an umbrella organisation based in Siem Reap, Cambodia, that promotes the concept of Responsible Tourism, is linked to a wide range of NGOs. It offers advice for visitors who wish to find out more about the lives of local people and how any assistance might be welcomed.
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