A relief agency established by Cambodians living in Canada inaugurated its office in Phnom Penh Monday.
Long Souk Chamroeun, vice president of the Cambodian Humanitarian Relief Organization of Cambodia, said at the ceremony that the purpose of the agency is to help Cambodia’s widows, handicapped soldiers, the impoverished and orphans through vocational training.
The group held an inauguration ceremony at its offices on Street 350 in Chamkar Mon District with a curry chicken lunch and care boxes for nearly 120 impoverished men and women from various provinces and 10 handicapped soldiers.
Cambodians living in Canada established the relief agency, Long Souk Chamroeun said, because they recognize the problems of poverty and the need for development in Cambodia. They are working to find funding in Canada, he added.
The organization also plans to develop vocational sewing outlets in rural areas, with centers in Kandal and Kompong Chhnang provinces. Five sewing machines will be delivered to Kompong Chhnang and 10 to Kandal for three-month training sessions.
Kim Bunthan, an assistant of Prime Minister Hun Sen, addressed the group. NGOs must cooperate with the government, he said, to develop Cambodia. Out of 11.4 million people, nearly 7 million are poor, he said. “When you can make our living conditions better,” he said, “it means that you help push your country toward prosperity.”
