Cambodia

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Development Challenge The USAID Program Other Program Elements Other Donors Program Data Sheets Summary Tables USAID Search: Cambodia Previous Years' Activities 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 Last updated: 24     THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: The United States was one of the principal architects of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, which effectively ended decades of civil war in Cambodia. Our national interest lies in assuring that our investment in that process is not lost. Promotion of democracy, good governance, and continued improvement of human rights are the United States' main foreign policy objectives in Cambodia. Addressing global problems of infectious disease, especially HIV/AIDS, is also of great importance. Thirty-six percent of Cambodians live on only 45 cents a day or less; 45% of children five and under are malnourished. The decade since the Accords has seen the establishment of important institutions of Cambodia's governance system, including the National Assembly and Senate, two national elections in 1993 and 1998, and the first multiparty local elections, scheduled for February 3, 2002. With assistance from the United States, Cambodia has passed a law providing for prosecution of senior leaders of the Khmer Rouge in a mixed tribunal and is in discussion with the United Nations about making it operational. The Cambodian Government has committed itself to a Governance Action Plan, in consultation with donors, which charts a comprehensive and ambitious reform program. Cambodia was admitted to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1999 and is actively pursuing World Trade Organization accession. Cambodia's struggle to rebuild comes after 30 years of civil strife and warfare, including the genocidal Khmer Rouge period. Ranked 121st of 162 countries on the United Nations Development Program's most recent Human Development Index, Cambodia's annual per capita GDP is less than $300; 85% of Cambodians live in rural areas where life is harsh and access to basic services is difficult; and life expectancy is only in the mid-50s. Infant mortality stands at 95 per 1,000 live births, maternal mortality rates are among the highest in Asia, and Cambodia is facing the most serious documented HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region, with an adult prevalence rate around 3%. There is an alarming indication that literacy may actually be declining. In 1998 the adult literacy rate was 67.3%, including 79.5% for males and 57.0% for females, but the primary school completion rate was only 51.0% for males and 33.9% for females. Cambodia's ravaged infrastructure and decimated human resource base from the many years of war and neglect remain a serious constraint to development. As a result, intense capacity building is required in every sector. Among developing countries and especially transition economies in the region, Cambodia stands out for having a vibrant civil society. Highly committed domestic human-rights organizations now function both as watchdogs-monitoring government compliance with international human-rights standards-and as trainers. In the run-up to the 2002 local elections, domestic election-monitoring organizations are educating voters and monitoring the election process; they will have observers in all of Cambodia's approximately 12,400 polling stations. THE USAID PROGRAM: USAID's FY 2002 estimate is $20 million in Economic Support Funds and $15 million in Development Assistance. The FY 2003 request is for $17 million in Economic Support Funds and $22.5 million in Development Assistance. Since restrictions were imposed on U. S. assistance to the Cambodian central government in 1997, USAID has supported only activities of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) for democracy and human rights, HIV/AIDS prevention, reproductive and child health, and microfinance. The restrictions on assistance to the central government have since been lifted for activities on HIV/AIDS, antitrafficking, and basic education programs. USAID is currently developing a new three-year strategy for the Cambodia program, during which the feasibility of a basic education program will be explored. A new strategic objective for health and HIV/AIDS has already been approved in order to expedite progress against the HIV epidemic. USAID's program in Cambodia supports two Agency pillars: Global Health, and Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance. The principal objectives of the program are to promote respect for human rights and democratic processes and to increase the use of HIV/AIDS prevention and family health services. ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: The USAID program in Cambodia includes the following objective for which USAID is not requesting new funds but is continuing to spend funds previously appropriated. Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 442-002 Improved Reproductive Health and Child Health FY02 CBJ, p. 42 FY 2003 442-004 Enhanced Assistance for War and Mine Victims FY02 CBJ, p. 49 FY 2003 442-005 Reduced Transmission of STIs and HIV/AIDS in High Risk Populations FY02 CBJ, p. 53 FY 2003 442-007 Expanded Access to Sustainable Financial Services FY02 CBJ, p. 57 FY 2003 OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: Pillar Bureau programs such as the Leahy War Victims Fund carry out additional activities complementary to USAID's strategic objectives in Cambodia. In FY 2002, activities will focus on provision of prosthetics and orthotics, vocational training, and job placement for war and mine victims and the disabled. Building the capacity of Cambodian NGO service-providers through training and coordination within the sector will be emphasized. In addition, funding from the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance for four child survival grants to NGOs complements bilateral family-health activities. The grants support innovative approaches to community-based health information and services, including an immunization tracking system called a "world's best buy" in a 1998 evaluation. Overall development assistance to Cambodia totals about $500 million annually. OTHER DONORS: Donors coordinate well in most areas, particularly in promotion of good governance and social sector reforms. The United States is the third largest bilateral donor. Japan and Australia are Cambodia's first and second largest bilateral partners. USAID and Japan work jointly on activities targeting HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases. Other major donors and their chief areas of support are as follows: France (higher education in law and medicine, legal and judicial reform, and rural development), Germany (health, land management, and rural development), Sweden (governance, social sectors, and rural development) and the United Kingdom (UK) (governance, health, and HIV/AIDS). Multilateral donors include the United Nations agencies, the Asian Development Bank (health and education, poverty alleviation, and roads), the World Bank (governance, social sectors, and rural development), and the European Union (governance and elections support, health, and HIV/AIDS). In addition to programs in health and education, governance, and administrative reform, the United Nations Development Program provides support for elections with funding from the UK, Australia, and Canada. Program Data Sheets 442-001  Strengthened Democratic Processes and Respect for Human Rights 442-009  Increased Use of HIV/AIDS and Family Health Services and Appropriate Health-Seeking Behavior Country Background Information Resources     CIA Factbook Library of Congress National Geographic Country Maps State Dept. Country Information

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