12 December 2006

European Commission Pledges AID to Cambodia

The European Commission (EC) Tuesday gives 2 million euros, which is approximately $2.6 (US dollars) in aid to a number of civil societies and NGOs in Cambodia. In the agreement signing ceremony, Winston Mc Colgan, Chargé d'Affaires, for the Delegation of the European Commission in Cambodia, confirms that 9 specific NGOs will get the EC's assistance to implementing these projects.

The aid recipients include the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, Khmer Rouge's victims and witness protection programs, and mental health patients. One million euros will be given to Oxfam Novib. While, some of the funding will go to ADHOC and the Khmer Institute of Democracy. The Khmer Institute of Democracy (KID) will receive 400,000 euros for their projects to promote education and awareness of legal democracy in Cambodia.

The European Commission commends ADHOC for their efforts to supporting the Extraordinary Chambers of Cambodia in their grassroots approach to helping KR victims through social support and counseling. ADHOC director Thun Saray pledged to continue to protect Khmer Rouge victims and witnesses from being threatened or intimidated.