(Banteay Meanchey): The KOICA Cambodia Office and the KOFIH Cambodia Office held the "K-ODA Cambodia Joint Event for Rural and Health Development" in Battambang Province and Banteay Meanchey Province, Cambodia.

The event featured, in sequence, the signing ceremony for the second-phase Village Development Project support agreement, the opening ceremony of the Malai Health Center, and the completion ceremony of the obstetrics ward at Preah Net Preah Referral Hospital.

This event was organized as part of the "K-Initiative" promoted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia. Its purpose is to introduce KOICA's rural development projects and KOFIH's healthcare projects in one place and, by linking the achievements of the two organizations, to widely publicize the effectiveness of Korea's Official Development Assistance (ODA).

The event was attended by Kim Changyong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Cambodia; Kim JunMo, Country Director of the KOICA Cambodia Office and Song Yonggu, Country Representative of the KOFIH Cambodia Office.

From the Cambodian side, key figures from the central and local governments attended, including Chhay Rithisen, Minister of Rural Development Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, Sok Lou, Governor of Battambang Provinc and Oum Reatrey, Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province.

On 5 August 2026, at the Battambang Provincial Hall, a signing ceremony was held to support the "second-phase Village Development Project (VDP)," a key activity of the "Project for Building Peace Villages through Comprehensive Rural Development in Cambodia."

The Village Development Project is a participatory rural development project in which residents themselves decide on and carry out the projects their villages need.

Through the first phase from January to November 2025, KOICA improved living infrastructure, including education, health, water supply, and roads, in 30 villages across three provinces (Battambang, Pailin, and Banteay Meanchey), and with this agreement it plans to continue resident-led follow-up projects.

On 6 August 2026, the "Malai Health Center Inauguration Ceremony was held in Banteay Meanchey Province. Built through the first-phase Village Development Project, the Malai Health Center is a facility created jointly by several villages across administrative boundaries. Equipped with consultation rooms, a pharmacy, a delivery room, a maternity waiting room, and a vaccination room, it is expected to allow residents to receive basic medical services close to home.

That same afternoon, the "Completion Ceremony of the Obstetrics Ward at Preah Net Preah Referral Hospital" was held. Through the "Project to Improve the Quality of Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Services in Northwestern Cambodia (2024-2027)," KOFIH built an obstetrics ward equipped with a delivery room, an operating room, and a nursery. It also provided related training so that medical staff can respond quickly to obstetric emergencies.

Kim JunMo, Country Director of the KOICA Cambodia Office said, "This event demonstrates that the achievements of rural development created through residents' direct participation are leading to real changes in residents' daily lives, such as improved access to healthcare." He added, "We will continue to work closely with the Cambodian government and related agencies to create sustainable and inclusive development results that residents can truly feel."

Ambassador Kim said, "This joint event is a meaningful occasion in which, under the 'K-Initiative,' overseas diplomatic missions and ODA implementing agencies cooperated as one team to showcase the achievements and excellence of Korean ODA on the ground."

He stated, "Through follow-up support via the second-phase Village Development Project, improvements to rural infrastructure, and increases in residents' income, we will actively support the sustainable development of northwestern Cambodia."
=FRESH NEWS