Cambodia
Total Projects: 18
Project Spending: $54,837
Once the center of the Khmer Empire, Cambodia has sought its place in the global economy following French colonialism and the deadly genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979. According to the World Bank, poverty has fallen, yet many Cambodians are still at risk of slipping back into destitution (2/20/14). While scores have seen improvements in their quality of life, stability is not certain. Cambodia is particularly vulnerable to climate change that could affect rice production and even the slightest economic decline of $0.30 USD per day would put 40% of the population back into extreme poverty. Further investments in rural infrastructure (roads, sanitation) as well as health and education improvements can help sustain Cambodia’s hard-won gains.