For more than a decade, CRS has worked with rural communities to combat hunger and malnutrition by increasing food production and incomes. CRS and local partners teach farmers new techniques to increase production of livestock and important crops such as rice, vegetables and fruit trees.

CRS works to strengthen connections between farmers, local government agencies and the private sector so growers can access local markets and sell their products. Because many rural families depend on natural resources like forests and mangroves for food and income, preventing the degradation of these resources is an important component of CRS' work.

As Cambodia's central government takes steps to share power at the local level, CRS helps poor communities participate in decision-making. Focusing on areas where the environment is threatened, CRS helps villagers advocate for funding to carry out community initiatives, such as replanting mangroves or marking boundaries of protected forests. In Cambodia, forests are an important source of food, such as honey, mushrooms and other edible plants.

Community members attend local government meetings to voice their concerns. They also request training on land and fisheries laws from local government agencies. Community members use this information to uphold laws and protect forests.

Cambodia is a country vulnerable to drought, flooding and, increasingly, typhoons. When disasters such as these occur, CRS works with organizations such as Caritas Cambodia to help survivors rebuild their lives.

CRS Cambodia works with schools to prevent the spread of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, developing educational materials for teachers and students about transmission and what to do in case of an outbreak. Schools receive the materials along with face masks, thermometers and soap for hand-washing.

Since 2006, CRS has also collaborated with a Cambodian nongovernmental organization to strengthen the ability of community health workers to diagnosis and treat tuberculosis in villages.

For more than 15 years, CRS Cambodia has supported home-based care for people with HIV. Our programs train community health volunteers to visit patients' homes to help them take their medicines correctly and consistently, learn about possible side effects, and know when to seek care for other illnesses. Community support groups help people with HIV deal with social stigma.

CRS works with Maryknoll to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which can occur during pregnancy or through breastfeeding. Women diagnosed with HIV take medications to prevent their infants from contracting the virus.

During the last 3 years, CRS Cambodia has supported activities focusing on youth, aimed at building a culture of peace and justice. Youth learn important life and leadership skills, as well as how to become positive role models and contribute to their community. Recently, the project has expanded to include youth living in the slum areas of Phnom Penh—including the poorest of the poor—who are often excluded from general society.