History of Cambodia
The Kingdom of Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, boarding Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. King Norodom Sihamoni is the official head of state, yet the country is run by Prime Minister Hun Sen and his administration. Hun Sen has been running Cambodia since the fall of the Khmer Rouge in 1979. His party, Cambodia People's Party, holds the majority of seats in the government and has kept a firm grip on its power since its inception.
The country is still struggling with the aftereffects of the atrocities and genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge from 1973-1979. One third of the country was killed during this reign and everyone was forced out of the cities and into the rice fields. Families were purposefully separated and men, women and children forced to work while disease and starvation ran rampant. This era in Cambodia's history left many scars and many Cambodians still suffer from experiences and memories incurred during this horrible regime. The government of Cambodia claims that its country is still struggling to rebuild from the destruction caused by the Khmer Rouge 30 years later. This is why the international community continues to donate approximately 500 million dollars to fund humanitarian aid projects throughout the country.
The country is still struggling with the aftereffects of the atrocities and genocide carried out by the Khmer Rouge from 1973-1979. One third of the country was killed during this reign and everyone was forced out of the cities and into the rice fields. Families were purposefully separated and men, women and children forced to work while disease and starvation ran rampant. This era in Cambodia's history left many scars and many Cambodians still suffer from experiences and memories incurred during this horrible regime. The government of Cambodia claims that its country is still struggling to rebuild from the destruction caused by the Khmer Rouge 30 years later. This is why the international community continues to donate approximately 500 million dollars to fund humanitarian aid projects throughout the country.
Kampong Chhnang
IRD's health programs were focused in the region of Kampong Chhnang Province and this is where I conducted my research. Kampong Chhnang literaly means "Port of Pottery" in Khmer and this region is known for its clay pots.
Quick Facts about Kampong Chhnang:
Quick Facts about Kampong Chhnang:
- Population: 471, 616
- 56% population is below the poverty line
- 91% subsistence farmers (rice farmers)
- More than 50% of women are illiterate
- 8 communes, 81 villages
- Drought prone
In Kampong Chhnang, two districts Boribo and Tuek Phos have the highest rates of malnutrition and anemia in children and therefore were the target areas for IRD's operations. I was able to conduct interviews in 5 communes and 10 villages within these two districts. Each village had 50 to 100 families, with an average of 5 people per family.