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Cambodia Resource PackCambodia has a population of 14,000,000 people dispersed over 181,035 sq km. The country has been plagued by a recent history of war and genocide and still faces the challenge of rebuilding social, political and economic institutions. The Khmer Rouge were aspiring to a rural paradise where those living in the cities were sent to work in the fields and all private property was abolished. During the Khmer Rouge regime between 1 and 3 million people died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation.Currently there are estimated to be 40% of the Cambodian population living below the poverty line. Three quarters of the labour force work in the agriculture sector where there is a lack of infrastructure. Additionally many Cambodians have turned to the rivers and forests to provide their livelihood, which in turn has lead to significant environmental degradation. The current environmental issues include illegal logging, habitat loss, declining biodiversity, soil erosion and declining fish stocks. NGOs throughout Cambodia are working to improve environmental sustainability and other social problems. By volunteering in this program you can help raise funds for a rural NGO who is working to improve livelihoods in rural communities in Cambodia. This NGO has worked on such projects as supporting the conservation of the critically endangered Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins, and teaching the local people about growing vegetables, making rainwater tanks and fish farming. Volunteers are also directly contributing to the educational development of young Cambodians. Easy FactsFor the Cambodia Easy Facts sheet, click here.Further ReadingCambodia: Life After Death by Hamilton Wende: January 13th 2001. The Khmer Rouge regime and civil war have left indelible scars on the Cambodian people. Hamilton Wende visits the residents of Phnom Penh who are trying to rebuild their lives.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/1113752.stm Cambodia Recovery: March 19th 2007. Cambodia is struggling to recover from the murderous legacy of the four years of Khmer Rouge rule in the 1970s, a holocaust that killed almost a quarter of the country's population. http://www.alertnet.org/db/crisisprofiles/KH_REC.htm?v=in_detail Country ProfileFor Cambodia's country profile, click here. |
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El Camino
In May 2008 join us as we walk the last 11 days of the Camino de Santiago, a magnificent route through northwestern Spain's Galicia. > Read More