A journey of partnerships

Since 2000, Family Planning International has worked in partnership with the Rural Economic Development Association (REDA) in Cambodia’s Svay Rieng Province. REDA provides home-based care services and support to women and children living with HIV.

Currently, Family Planning International helps provide care and support to 96 people living with HIV, and 372 orphans and vulnerable children.

These services include: 

• nursing care
• education
• counselling
• welfare

REDA also works in the community to reduce stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV and AIDS, and ensuring children orphaned by AIDS are given quality care.

AIDS kills more than 30 Cambodians every day

Now at peace after a history of genocide, famine and civil war, Cambodia has faced another deadly threat - HIV. In 2007, it was estimated that there was 64,750 people living with HIV.

The major factors contributing to the rapid spread of HIV in Cambodia are:

• poverty (almost 40 percent of Cambodians live below the poverty line)
• migration for work often on a seasonal basis
• the low socio-economic status of women
• unsafe sexual practices
• unsafe behaviours relating to sex work and drug use.