CARE in Cambodia

CARE worked in Cambodia between 1973 and 1975, distributing food, providing medical assistance and improving education. We left as the Vietnam War intensified and security became an issue.

In Cambodia we:

clear minefields and teach people about the dangers of landmines
help small businesses, for example by providing access to cheap loans
build infrastructure, such as roads
fight HIV and AIDS

In 1990, CARE returned to Cambodia, working with the United Nations to help 370,000 refugees from among Khmer people return to their homes from camps along the Thai border.
Over the years, CARE Cambodia has shifted its focus from short-term but vital relief operations to long-term development programmes, helping poor communities improve their standard of living.

CARE in action:

Landmines
Cambodia signed a ceasefire with the Khmer Rouge in 1993, but 6 million land mines were left behind.

Of the estimated six million mines left, half of them are in the region of Pailin. So, before we can begin our work, whether it’s digging boreholes, building water ponds or providing water and sanitation, the area needs to be demined. We are working with British charity, the Mine Action Group (MAG), to do the job.

Fighting HIV and AIDS
In Cambodia, CARE raises awareness about HIV and AIDS among commercial sex workers by training peer educators, who can then teach others within their profession, about the disease and how to protect themselves against infection.