Episode 2/4: Cambodia
While the sanitary situation seems to have stabilized in Cambodia in the last few weeks, a relaxation of the population with regard to barrier gestures is visible, in particular among the poorest who no longer wear masks due to lack of means. The consequences of the crisis are strongly felt by the families we follow. For them, the crisis is above all economic.
Raising awareness of barrier measures in textile factories
18,000 workers of Kampong Speu province are suffering the full impact of Covid-19, through a substantial decrease in their incomeThey are often the only stable source of income for their families. Not to mention the unfair dismissals and the harassment at work.
These workers are particularly exposed to the virus since they work 6/7 days and 12 hours a dayThey are confined in large sheds with more than 1000 workers.
Since March, our Cambodian team has been mobilized to offer awareness sessions to barrier gestures in 6 plants in the province of Kampong Speu. Thanks to the mobilization of the workers "health ambassadors"who relayed the health information to their colleagues, 3,300 workers were advised on the right thing to do. From hand washing stations were also installed in the factories to limit the spread of the virus.
Awareness raising and hygiene kits in precarious neighborhoods
In the slums of Phnom Penh, where water is scarce and promiscuity is too important, families are particularly at risk. We therefore went to the 14 precarious neighborhoods where we already intervene for raise awareness the 17,000 inhabitants to the barrier gestures to be respected with the help ofprevention posters. We also distributed hygiene kits à 373 families.
Financial assistance for families in need
With our Cambodian partner SKO, we have distributed a first 15 dollars in financial assistance à 373 families from these 14 precarious neighborhoods. We took the opportunity to organize a quick survey which reveals the major economic impact of the crisis on these families. 28% of them testify that they have suffered a loss of employment and 47% do not have enough money to pay the rent at the end of the month. Finally, all of the families surveyed have seen their income seriously decrease and now lack money for basic purchases.
>> To go further and respond to the urgency for these families, we would like to :
- distribute to workers and their families reusable masks made in Cambodian workshops (1.5$ per unit in Krama fabric) and monthly packs of essential products (food, hygiene) worth 15$.
- place hand washing points for the inhabitants of the 14 precarious districts of Phnom Penh that we follow
- distribute games and toys in these neighborhoods to support the well-being of children during this crisis
- pay more thanallocations to the poorest families paralyzed by the crisis.
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> Our article " Covid-19: What is the status of the countries where we operate? "(May 14, 2020)
> Our article " What impact does Covid-19 have on vulnerable populations? " (April 10, 2020)
May 20, 2020
