The Embassy of India in Cambodia and Caritas Cambodia have signed a MoU for a project in reaching out to “orphan, vulnerable children (OVC), children with psychological disabilities and “left behind children” (LBC) through mobile clinic at primary and secondary level through workshops among teachers and health care providers in Kampong Cham and Thbong Khmum provinces.

The signing ceremony took place at the Centre for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CCAMH) at Chey Chumneas Referral Hospital in Takhmao town, Kandal province, between H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Mr. Kim Rattana, Executive Director of Caritas Cambodia.

This initiative, is a part of Government of India’s Quick Impact Project (QIP) Scheme under the framework of Mekong-Ganga Cooperation is to be implemented by CCAMH community team with the support of Caritas Cambodia, an international NGO, said a press release of the embassy.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kim Rattana thanked the Government and Embassy of India for providing grants for this project that would be beneficial for orphan, vulnerable children, children with psychological disabilities and left behind children. He particularly thanked the Ambassador for her continuous support and cooperation that has been extended to CCAMH over the years.

While expressing her appreciation on signing of the MoU, H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade recalled the age old bonds of friendship, particularly with the Chey Chumneas Referral Hospital. She appreciated the role of Dr. Bhoomikumar in developing the child mental health services in Cambodia with the support of the Government of India.

She stressed on the positive impact of QIP projects towards the enhancement of the overall bilateral relationship and good will between the people of India and Cambodia, this year the focus of QIPs will be on health, tourism development, education-digital education with particular focus on women literacy.

H.E. Ambassador also added that it is her chief endeavour to support projects, which will have direct impact on the lives of people who marginalised and below poverty line, women and children in particular.

She underscored the contribution of the Government of India to the Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Cambodia during the pandemic and the potential partnership in ‘transfer of technology in vaccine production’ to Cambodia in the near future.

Under the QIP, the Embassy of India undertook other projects in partnership with Caritas Cambodia viz. “Capacity building of caregivers and professionals to empower children and adolescents with multiple disabilities and their families”, that is under final stage of completion, benefitting about 1300 children and their families.

According to the embassy, Government of India cooperates with the Royal Government of Cambodia on many grant assistance programmes that contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the people of Cambodia. Under QIP Scheme, the Government of India implements 10 projects every year in Cambodia by providing a funding of up to US$50,000/- each per project. Since 2015-16, the Government of India has approved 46 projects in the fields of IT, agriculture, health, sanitation, women’s empowerment, child welfare, rural development, social infrastructure (including capacity building), environment, etc. Out of 46 projects, 21 projects have already been completed and the remaining 25 projects are at various stages of execution. These projects have received overwhelming response and created a distinct and visible impact not only among the beneficiaries but also in the larger community.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press