Cambodian Context
Understanding the social life needs and resources of the people

Cambodia is a poor country, with an estimated 40% living below the poverty line. Four out of ten families cannot produce enough to meet their most basic needs and are either destitute or at risk of being so. The poverty rate is particularly high in rural areas and rural households, especially those for whom agriculture is the primary source of income, account for almost 90%. Cambodia, measured by both income and broader human development indicators, is among the poorest countries, ranking 136 out of 174.

Particularly in the northwest part of the country we see the gaps between rich and poor, rural and urban populations growing, leaving increasing numbers of families and individuals vulnerable. Obviously three decades of civil strife has damaged families and strained relationships, but the experts tell us that the main causes of vulnerability are economic hardship and lack of access to production resources. The principle factor leading to poverty is lack of access to land, the traditional safety net for Cambodians. In the rural areas, this is combined with limited employment opportunities, lack of capital, and lack of access to markets. Other common safety nets are found in the extended family and the community, but for many these relationships were damaged by the war and the years of exile. Because of landmines and the many years without vaccinations against polio, there is a high number of people with disabilities in the region.

According to the 2002 Landmine Monitor report, a total of 6,422 villages, or 46% of Cambodian villages, have mine or unexploded ordnances (UXO)-affected areas. The total suspected contaminated area is 4,466 million square meters, or 2.5% of the total surface of the country. The threat of UXO and mines impedes mobility, security, economic activity, and development in several provinces, particularly in the north and northwest of the country. In the forests of Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, and Pailin, which are the most affected provinces, people still have their limbs blown off as they search for a way to feed their families. Mine and UXO contamination restricts access to home, agricultural land, pasture land, water sources, forests, schools, dams, canals, markets, business activities, health centers, pagodas, bridges and neighboring villages.
With over 80% of the country's population residing in rural areas, mine action programs continue to be of the highest priority in the achievement of Cambodia's overriding policy of poverty reduction.

Many families have had to sell their lands in order to pay hospital bills, or because the towns are expanding. The money is however soon spent and the family is caught up in a cycle of poverty. The most common options for survival seem to include becoming street people in the towns, children living by collecting garbage, children being sold for child labor or even prostitution. Parents sometimes send their children to work in Thailand, leave their children with their grandparents or even alone and go themselves to work in Thailand. Most at risk of course in this migration to work in Thailand are the young girls and children who are taken for domestic work or for prostitution. Cambodia now has the highest incidence of HIV AIDS infection in Asia.

Rapid increases in HIV transmission have been reported in Cambodia since the first case of HIV infection was notified in 1991. By 2001, an estimated 170,000 people (3 % of the adult population) were infected. (Unicef/UNAIDS/WHO 2002 update). By the end of 2003 there will be an estimated 48,000 orphans from the AIDS epidemic alone.

Seine River in Kompong Thom

The education system, deprived of funding, is functioning so poorly that illiteracy is higher than it had been in the 1960s. Children below 15 years of age represent about 45% of the total population of 11.4 million, but only 46% of the villages in Cambodia have a primary school. The policy priority for education is to ensure equitable access and to improve the quality of its nine years of basic education by 2010. More boys than girls attend school, and many students repeat grades; only 33% of 12 years olds complete the sixth grade. Many students do not have enough supplies of school material; most of the teachers are unqualified and the salaries of teachers in general is very poor.
The Kingdom of Cambodia, for the first time in nearly thirty years, has control over its territory and is enjoying political stability as one nation. Control is firmly in the hands of Hun Sen and the ruling Cambodian People's Party. It is just about a decade since the first elections were held under UNTAC supervision. This year's general election (27th July) has caused tensions among the different parties. King Sihanouk is still honored among the people, but his failing health leads to speculation about his successor.
The Battambang Diocese is strategically located in the midst of these immense social needs and challenges. At the border with Thailand are casinos, brothels, illegal logging, smuggling and an ever growing drug commerce. The former Khmer Rouge territories are still heavily mined and have received little infrastructure investments. In the immense Tonle Sap lake big fishing companies are eating into the livelihoods of poor fishermen, and there is a large Vietnamese ethnic minority present. In towns such as Siem Reap, while internet cafes and foreigners abound, children still drive their cattle through the main streets, beggars are growing in number and boys sniffing glue are common.

It is of utmost importance that the Catholic Church prepares its members to live their faith in this setting, assists those who are left vulnerable, and makes its own contribution to bring about a society that is more just and merciful.