Several proposals submitted by Village Development Committees have been approved by the Commune Council (CC) in the first half of 2009. This proved the good cooperation of the local authority in supporting a new project of Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Cambodia in Phnom Kravanh district of Pursat province.
At a meeting with the commune councilors in Phteah Rung commune last August, Chief of the Commune Councilors Mr. Chhuon Khorn told LWF Cambodia Communications Team about the main challenges and urgent needs for the development of his community. Mr. Khorn highly appreciated the generous support of LWF Cambodia in helping improve livelihoods of the poorest people in Phnom Kravanh.
“I am very happy that LWF Cambodia targeted this area for its ‘Integrated Rural Development through Empowerment Project (IRDEP)’,” he said, adding that LWF Cambodia’s strategy is in line with the Government’s.
The proposals which were approved by the CC included projects to raise animals, chickens, and grow vegetables, as well as establish village banks, build latrines, culverts, canals, roads, capacity for VDC, and so on.
“Though the IRDEP-Phnom Kravanh has just started implementation over a short period of time, its operation is progressing significantly,” Mr. Khorn said, adding that LWF Cambodia’s approach is unique if compared to a few organizations operating here.
Mr. Nuon Borin, Project Manager for IRDEP-Phnom Kravanh, recognized good teamwork between the CC and LWF Cambodia project field staff. “The mutual cooperation will move the project forward faster and successfully.”
First Deputy Chief of CC, Mr. Kol Khoeun, said the CC, as well as local authority at all levels, has provided security and accommodations to LWF Cambodia field staff in the target areas to ease their daily job performance.
“We are satisfied to join forces with LWF Cambodia’s IRDEP-Phnom Kravanh to make the project achievable,” he added.
He said though some progresses were made over the past years in partnership with a couple of different NGOs beyond LWF in the area, some major challenges remain and need to be addressed urgently. These include domestic violence, limited understanding about land law, forestry and fishery law, lack of roads, irrigation system (dams, canals), lack of clean water, and drought.
LWF Cambodia launched its new project, IRDEP-Phnom Kravanh, in early 2009, in addition to the five existing projects—IRDEP-Phnom Sruoch, IRDEP-Aoral, IRDEP-Thpong in Kampong Speu, IRDEP-Kampong Chhnang, and IRDEP-Battambang—which are operating successfully, aiming to contribute to the poverty alleviation of Cambodia through rights based empowerment of rural communities, strengthening local leadership and improving governance.
In the first phase of the Project Plan 2009-2011, LWF Cambodia selected 26 villages for development for the first year. The project will expand its coverage area to 39 villages for the second year and to 53 villages in the third year within the 7 communes of the whole district.
For more information, contact
LEAK Ratna, Communications Coordinator, LWD
E-mail: ratna@lwd.org.kh
Tel: 012 819 121