Disaster Response Cambodia Project #46256

Emergency COVID-19 support for Cambodian families

by Women's Resource Center

Project Report | Aug 5, 2020
Update on Emergency Relief Delivery from WRC

By Gemma Marshall | Donor Relations Manager

Checking in on families

With your help we were delighted to provide 50 packages of food, hygiene supplies, seeds and chickens to families in need during June. In July we spent some time with them to see how they were getting on….42 of those families have started vegetable gardens, whilst 5 families are waiting for water to subside from flooding, and 2 are waiting to harvest crops before they plant. We gave out 200 chicks in total and the majority of them have grown into strong healthy chickens who will provide the families with eggs, meat and new chicks going forward. In July we delivered a further 46 packages to the women and families we work with in Svay Dangkum commune and will continue to monitor and work with them over the coming months. August will see a further provision of supplies being distributed too!

In addition to emergency supplies we have provided one on one counselling (via phone) to 30 new clients, followed upon 15 cases and provided ongoing support for 7 cases. Most of these clients concerns are around having no food, domestic violence (which has increased 300%) and financial issues – especially for those with debts and no income.

We also continue to invest in the community through our workshops which we are now running online and last month shared information on ‘Women’s Health – Menstruation and hygiene’ to 24 young adults and ‘Positive Parenting’ to 11 parents. We have also created and shared a Positive Parenting Handbook (with support from HBF) and a financial literacy video to support women control their finances at this time.

Thank you for your gift to WRC – we could not have achieved so much, and supported so many community members now and into the future without you!

Best wishes,

Gemma and the WRC team

Sharing emergency supplies

Links:

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Jun 16, 2020
How you have helped Cambodian women in COVID19

By Gemma Marshall | Donor Relations Manager

Kunthea conducting a needs assessment.

Dear Friend of WRC,

We hope this report finds you well!

As you know the Cambodian economy is hugely reliant on tourism, especially in our city of Siem Reap. As tourism numbers fell and people lost jobs due to COVID19 many families were plummeted into unexpected poverty. With your help we have raised $2463 on GlobalGiving to support those families in crisis. We have worked closely with our community to understand what their current needs are and how we can support them deeply at this time.

We have surveyed 100 families and understand that 99% of them are living in fear of both contracting COVID19 and of hunger. The main issues are lack of employment, poverty, hunger, understanding hygiene and how to prevent COVID19 spreading and being able to afford hygiene supplies. Many are also suffering from acute stress and mental health issues. In addition, due to the extra pressures at home (especially with schools closed) there is a rise in domestic abuse towards women and children.

We have conducted counselling over the phone with 72 beneficiaries and checked in with 107 families to see if they need anything from us. We have been able to meet some people face to face to five our emergency supplies and have used these opportunities to share information on safe practices to prevent the spread of the virus. These sessions have had limited numbers with people staying 2 meters apart, we have checked temperatures and ensured hand washing and mask wearing has taken place. We have given our 115 emergency supply packages by the end of May to families and shared information about staying safe at this time with them. Each parcel costs $25 and contains rice, fish / soy sauce, vegetables, canned goods, eggs and soap and lasts an average sized family around a week. We are also piloting ways to work with families in order for then to be self – sufficient including farming plants and animals.

The women and families we work with have been delighted with the support we have been able to give them due to your generosity and wanted to share their thanks with you…

‘Thanks to donors for your generosity, these emergency packages help us during this hard time. You save us lives!’ – Bopha

‘We lost the jobs and income. Your kind support feed our children. Thanks for thinking of us during this challenging time! Wishing you all the best of luck!!’ – Sophea

Our Executive Director, Kong Vanthat has also shared her thanks and short update in the attached video.

We will continue to work hard with the community for as long as it takes to ensure they have enough supplies and support to see them through this time. Thank you so much for your generosity!

Gemma and the WRC team.

Learning about COVID 19 best practice.

Receiving supplies

Links:

Thank you and update video from Vanthat (Executive Director)

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