Greater Mekong Sub-Region
Overview
Asian Outreach Cambodia (AOC) envisions developing a stronger presence in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) in the next five to ten years. A major component of this goal is to open an office to serve as a hub in the province of Steong Treng, in northeastern Cambodia. Not only will this hub allow AOC to extend its reach into a further five Cambodian provinces, but it will also provide logistical access to existing and potential operations in Laos, Thailand, Southern Vietnam and Burma (Myanmar).This, in turn, will allow AOC to deliver more effective,regionally oriented development program support.
The desire to advance operations in this area of Cambodia is partially based on an Asian Development Bank (ADB) report predicting that economic corridors in the GMS are about to shift, as a result of the construction of a major highway. This roadway, which will connect Vietnam with Thailand, significantly expands AOC's capacity to serve the people of northern Cambodia in the ways they need it most.
Northeastern Cambodia can be broadly classified as an agrarian society that has been heavily dependent on forestry for many years. However, increasing deforestation threatens to worsen already weak economic prospects. Electrical and transportation infrastructure is very limited, as are health facilities. The closest facility to Stoeng Treng, for instance, is a basic facility that requires a 10 km journey on rough dirt roads. Improved health infrastructure is needed to address the prevalence of malaria and dengue fever, as well as diseases associated with the shortage of clean water supplies.
Finally, educational facilities are also sparse, with an especially urgent need for more vocational schools. It would be incorrect to view this plan as one of transition for AOC; rather, it is an investment into the future capacity of the organization to work in the region. As well as being a doorway to greater capabilities in Cambodia, the GMS Plan represents a desire for greater access and stronger linkages into the area as a whole.
Developing a Presence in Stung Treng Pilot Program 2011
Over the past two years the AOC Director and others have visited Stung Treng province a number of times. The research trips proved valuable in learning more of the people and the situations they face on a day to day basis. In July 2010 the AOC Director and Community Development staff met with Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) officials in Stung Treng, during this meeting the AOC Director was given the opportunity to share about the Cambodian Strategic Development Plan, and its relation to development within the Greater Mekong Sub-region. This was followed by a discussion on how AOC could best partner with the MRD to assist in development for the people and communities in Stung Treng province. As a result the MRD officials recommended AOC to consider working with 678 households in 2 communes (5 villages) in the Thala Barivat district.
In August a further cross country visit to this area was undertaken, this involved travelling in difficult terrain to determine future access routes to Thala Barivat district and to meet future stakeholders, MRD district and local officials, school principals and commune leaders. Access to safe water and sanitation has been indentified as a significant problem in this area, impacting the health and well being of all community members. A team of six intercessors (from Hong Kong and Malaysia) accompanied the team to Stung Treng and the surrounding countryside. They were able to invest their time and energies into discernment and prayers for the peoples of this area.
AOC is now in the process of developing a Water and Sanitation pilot program for the households in Thala Barivat district with a view to implement it in 2011. This will give AOC a vital link into developing relationships with the people from all sections of the communities and within Stung Treng province.
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Working Points
The current highway that runs from South Vietnam into Cambodia and through Ratanikiri ends at Stoeng Treng. The government plans to extend it to Siem Reap by 2010, completing the project. When finished, the highway will be a tangible connection between three of the countries in the GMS, and will solidify Cambodia's place as an economic, transport and communications link. Future expansion will extend the highway through Poipet and into Thailand, leading to increased tourism industry revenue. In addition to strengthening northern Cambodia's economic prospects, this project will also allow AOC to gain a firmer foothold in the region.
Further Information on Regional Area of Focus (Northeastern Provinces)
Map of Regional Area of Focus
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is one of the world's fastest growing subregions, growing at an
average annual rate of over 6%, in spite of a number of adverse internal and external shocks. Since 1992, the economies of Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, People's Republic of China (PRC), Thailand, and Viet Nam have agreed to pursue aprogram of regional cooperation to foster their sustainedeconomic and social development. PRC's participation inthe program is through the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Yunnan province.
