By William E. Todd,
U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
Thank you, Cambodia, for your continued engagement in this column. We are really tackling some very important
issues so I appreciate all of your questions and feedback. Please keep
sending your questions to me at AskAMBToddPP@state.gov.
I
believe many Cambodians know about the important work that the U.S.
Mission is doing to promote an even more effective partnership with
Cambodia. However, I get asked all the time about the breadth and
scope of our development assistance here. In my column last week, I
mentioned the role of the U.S. Agency for International Development
(USAID) in reducing the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate and its upcoming
anniversary. On Wednesday, August 22, we celebrated USAID’s 50 years of
establishment and its 20-year presence in Cambodia. I would like to
take this opportunity to express my pride in this agency’s work and how
through its various partnerships, it has transformed the lives of
millions of Cambodians.
Fifty years ago, U.S.
President John F. Kennedy launched USAID’s journey to bring American
compassion, generosity, and commitment to people across the globe. His
optimistic vision of the power of humanity continues to guide this
mission, as he said, “The problems of the world cannot possibly by
solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious
realities. We need people who can dream of things that never were.”
On
behalf of the American people, USAID invests in pioneering,
cost-effective solutions to save and improve millions of lives, while
creating positive conditions for the future. USAID partners with
countries like Cambodia that are committed to assuming full
responsibility for their development goals.
In
the last 20 years, USAID and Cambodia have achieved so much working
together, such as the great progress in health care – something possible
through the strong partnership between USAID, the Ministry of Health,
and Cambodia’s civil society. As a result, we’ve seen more mothers
survive after giving birth, and more newborns and young children getting
healthy starts during the difficult first months of life. HIV/AIDS
rates have been slashed. Children are being vaccinated against easily
preventable disease. And projects too numerous to mention are helping
average Cambodians lead a healthier, more productive life.
Equally
important are the small contributions that USAID has made. For
instance, USAID helped people understand the functions and the
responsibilities of each court official at a Cambodian municipal court
by simply placing a signboard outside a court. Another time, USAID
helped increase the success of honey hunters in Chamkar Leu, Stung Treng
Province, who learned about rafter bee keeping practices, hygienic
handling of honey, and honey marketing.
USAID
exemplifies America’s commitment to the partnership, people, progress,
and success in Cambodia. As U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia, I am devoted
to making sure this commitment lasts during my tenure and beyond. As
USAID celebrates these milestones of its existence, we will continue to
celebrate the future of Cambodia.
Thank you for
being such great readers. Please continue to send me questions in
English or Khmer at AskAMBToddPP@state.gov, and check out my blog at
http://blogs.usembassy.gov/todd.
William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
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