Background

Bavel District is located in the northwestern region of Battambang Province, Cambodia, 50km west of Battambang city. It is divided into six communes-  Bavel, Lvea, Kdol Tahen, Prey Khpos, Ampil Pram Daeum, and Khnach Romeas- which are subdivided into eighty two villages.

Bavel District previously included the land stretching to the Thai border, however, in 1997, it was separated and three new districts were created-Sampeuv Loun, Phnom Proek, and Kamreang- which are in closer proximity to Thailand.

ACED has conducted many projects in Phnom Proek District as well, which is located 120km from Battambang city. Thirty-one villages in five communes are populated by 8,690 families, 45,461 total people. 95% of the residents in this region are farmers, 5% own small businesses.

Cambodia has been subject to a recent history of war and civil unrest. Bavel and Phnom Proek Districts were two of the most severely affected areas throughout this turbulent period, which lasted for more than two decades. Today, peace reigns in Cambodia, however, severe social problems including extreme poverty and infringements upon human rights remain.

Government corruption is one of the major problems Cambodia faces. It occurs from the local to the national level. High ranking officials violate human rights, carry out drug trades with youths in the community, and suppress freedom of expression, including impeding access to the media, and restricting freedom of assembly. The judiciary system remains weak, ineffective, and under control by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.  In many cases when violations reported are involving high-ranking officials and close friends to the CPP, no actions are taken by the authorities to convict the perpetrators. Politicians and journalists critical of the government face violence and intimidation; many political murders remain unresolved. Neither addressing or attempting to reform development, the government dismisses its responsibilty of building roads, schools, and bridges, leaving infrastructure projects to be supported by NGOs and single parties.

Pitting the poor against the powerful, land conflict has been prevalent since 1997, affecting over 700 families in various districts throughout Battambang Province. Destruction of property records, land-grabbing and exploitation of the land and plundering of natural resources illegally carried out by the affluent and high-ranking government officials to supplement their incomes, leave rural villagers, whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and natural resources, struggling to survive. These actions lead to numerous social and environmental problems. Out of desperation, the victims are forced to earn money through dangerous means such as sending their children to work in Thailand where they are vulnerable to sexual exploitation, or by cutting down trees and collecting non-timber products in the protected forests, where many have been casualties of landmines. This issue is intertwined in the fight against the trafficking of women and children, HIV/AIDS, and environmental destruction.

The country has seen a fast rise in human trafficking, within and beyond Cambodian borders, of Cambodians and neighboring nationalities, since the opening of the country and the introduction of the market economy in the early 1990’s. Trafficking of women and children through networks protected or backed by police or government officials is widespread. The main motives for trafficking include: sexually exploiting women and children, using children and the elderly as beggars, providing babies for adoption, and forcing men, women, and children to labor under harsh conditions- in fishing, agriculture, or factories. Those in Phnom Proek District close to the Thai border, are most vulnerable. Weak law enforcement, social dislocation of migrant workers, extreme poverty, and lack of education create ripe conditions for traffickers, especially in time of drought when food is scarce, illness is rampant, and people are desperate.

The major issues- poverty, disease, lack of education, lack of healthcare, human trafficking, land conflict, drug trade, and government corruption are all inter-related; in attempting to combat one, it is necessary to address them all. In collaboration with partner NGOs, ACED’s projects reflect this mission- striving to eliminate poverty by providing education, healthcare, and income opportunities to the most vulnerable, and to reinforce the rights and civil liberties of their fellow Cambodians in hopes of improving their quality of life and fostering economic growth for their country.