CCF in dire need of rice donations
THE Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF), which assists poorer communities, is facing financial hardships due to the outbreak of Covid-19.
CCF’s director of community relations Hoy Leanghoin said the organisation is providing support to 12,000 community members, and despite donations from charities in Cambodia, it needs more.
“We have financially assisted 3,000-4,000 people directly affected by the crisis in the community. In the CCF community, there have been no Covid-19 cases.
“The CCF hopes that Cambodia can be successful in combating Covid-19. We are still in need of support from donors from domestic and international sectors. The most important need for us is food and rice.
“The outbreak of Covid19 has had a major financial impact in the region. Many of our community members are rubbish scavengers and there are now no buyers for their recycled materials.
“As a result, many of our community members have lost their income. We are looking for everything they need to get through this period, including food and rent support, but especially rice,” Leanghoin said.
Despite these obstacles, the
CCF said the Covid-19 crisis has brought people together in Cambodia too.
During the crisis, CCF received several donations from generous locals including 5,700kg of rice, food, cooking oils and fresh water. But most of CCF’s donations come from overseas, creating a large hole in supplies.
“In our internationa l donors’ countries, there have been spikes in unemployment and business closures, which have led to a decline in our revenues,” Leanghoin said.
Meng Rim, a 49-year-old widow from Prey Veng province who has five children, has been receiving assistance from CCF for seven years.
“The organisation usually doesn’t charge me rent and gives me rice every month. But this month I haven’t gotten anything yet, ” she said.
Rim said t hat normally t he organisation prov ides her with 20kg of rice and clot hes for her children ever y month.
During major festivals, it also provides her with money to visit her hometown.