Worldwide,
the Infant Mortality rate in Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri Provinces is
worse only and by a small fraction in Angola and Sierra Leone. Relative
to Cambodia nationally, the rates of Female Stunting and Severely Anemic
children in these two provinces are four times higher and the Infant
and Under Age Five mortality rates are double. Except for some
used western clothing and an occasional motorbike, the bulk of the
Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri populations dwell in the forests just as
they did centuries
ago.
Montagnards are extremely resilient and survived to
the late 20th Century through their readaptive strategies. But
unlike Vietnam where they were finally overwhelmed by massive force,
in Cambodia “development” is killing them and once again
they don't have the resources to cope. Upstream in Laos and Vietnam,
burgeoning populations and hastily conceived hydroelectric plants have
severely polluted their surface waters. Intestinal disorders
are endemic and water borne bacteria are the leading cause of child
death in Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri. Outside intervention with
simple technologies is required for potable water. As well, their
long standing public health issues and economic desperation require
remedial action.
To accomplish this for all people of Mondolkiri and Ratanakiri, regardless
of ethnicity, an IRS non-profit, Cambodia Corps, Inc. (CCi), has developed
a seven-year program. CCi is licensed by the Cambodian Government for
humanitarian programs and the principal is a member of our club. While
he seeks funds elsewhere for the much broader program, the homeless child situation
is within Rotary capabilities and he serves as our in-country project manager.
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