Cambodia

Welcome
Thank you for sharing your love and concern for the less fortunate in Cambodia.

Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos.
Area: slightly smaller than Oklahoma.
Terrain: mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north.

History
Following a five-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh in 1975 and ordered the evacuation of all cities and towns; over 1 million displaced people died from execution or enforced hardships. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside and touched off 13 years of fighting. In 1993, the UN helped restore some semblance of normalcy. A coalition government, formed after national elections in 1998, brought renewed political stability and the surrender of remaining Khmer Rouge forces.

Weather
Tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation.

Goverment
Multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy established in September 1993.
Capital: Phnom Penh

Economy
After four years of solid macroeconomic performance, Cambodia's economy slowed dramatically in 1997-98 due to the regional economic crisis, civil violence, and political infighting. Also, in 1998 the main harvest was hit by drought. But in 1999, the first full year of peace in 30 years, progress was made on economic reforms and growth resumed at 4%. So long as political stability lasts, the Cambodian economy is likely to grow at a respectable pace.
Currency: Cambodian new riel (CR).
Industries: garments, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles.
Agriculture: rice, rubber, corn, vegetables.

Project Sites
Siem Reap: Medical and Dental teams will travel in mobile clinics to the villages surrounding the city.  Surgical teams will work in local hospitals.
Phnom Penh: same as Siem Reap.
Accommodations: You will be staying in either a modest hotel or guesthouse while you are in Cambodia. Rooms will be shared.  Hot showers and bed linens are provided. Electricity in Southeast Asia is usually 220 volts.  If you are bringing electrical devices, please remember to pack a converter.