The European Commission has allocated 3.5 million euro to improve the health situation of vulnerable children in Cambodia. The Commission intends to promote access to safe water and improve hygiene conditions for vulnerable groups thereby reducing infant and child mortality which remains very high in Cambodia. Demining activities will also be funded. Funds will be channelled through the European Commissions Humanitarian Aid Directorate General (ECHO) under the responsibility of Commissioner Poul Nielson.
Cambodia has the highest rates of infant and child mortality in South East Asia and this has led the World Health Organisation to qualify the situation as a child survival crisis. Lack of access to safe water is one of the factors contributing to an infant mortality rate of 98 per 1000 live birth and an under-five mortality of 124 per 1000 live birth.
ECHO funds will be used to provide access to safe water and to improve hygiene conditions for mostly children living in post conflict areas or in regions largely populated by ethnic minorities.
Kilde: EU kommissionen.
