Broader perspectives on Cambodia

Siem Reap is a small city in Northern Cambodia and is a key tourist attraction due to the famous Angkor Wat ruins that lie there. On Friday June17th, 4 young Khmer men entered into an International School in Siem Reap and took the students and teachers hostage. Their demands: $1000 and a car. By the end of the day and by the time all was said and done, a tank rolled in to manage the situation and a little boy was dead.
The following is a letter from my flatmate and friend Bronwyn Blue on the events of last friday in Siem Reap and general battles and problems faced by many in Cambodia - the people, the government and the foreigners working for NGOs...

I am not sure who has heard about the tragic events that took place in Siem Reap a few days ago: the shooting of a child during a failed theft/hostage taking in an international school. A mail I got today from a friend made me put down a few thoughts. Living over here is not all roses and this is example of a time when everything has to be rethought. I thought I would share it. Bronwyn

Hi Liz,
There is nothing worse then the senseless death of a child. This was a tragedy, but I would consider it a bigger tragedy if it did not force us to question the veil of stability that has descended over Cambodia and the situation here.

I was at the home of a friend last night. She has two small children, as do the other couples present, in the International Schools here is PP. Both couples have established lives here and have invested many years and dollars into the country, building businesses, lives and homes. In this context, it is frightening how quickly the events were rationalized, this sort of thing "happens everyday all around the world". However, the frequency or ‘normality’ of these tragic events should not dull our response to them.

This event was a reality check for all, questioning how effective the aid dollars and development poured into Cambodia have been, the efficiency of the NGO sector and the inefficiencies of the government in maintaining and developing services and standards. This situation certainly highlighted the lack of training and investment into public services. While the rest of the world is throwing money into anti terrorism, why was a tank brought in to take a child out of the arms of a terrified 22 year old opportunist-‘terrorist’? No matter what started the ‘crisis’, that there was no one, or group with the training and ability to diffuse the situation without the loss of a child, reveals just another flaw in Cambodia’s ‘stability’. The mismanagement of the situation is as much a tragedy as the rest.

Most of work done through the international NGOs here aims to relieve the financial and general desperation Cambodian people experience on a daily basis. Through various sectors, they attempt to create employment, industry and a sense of ownership among Cambodians. The aim at its most basic, is to avoid having people arrive at a level where they feel it is a ‘viable option’ to hold a kindergarten hostage for $1000 and a van. NGOs in Cambodia were never intended to become a permanent frame work of support to the government. The question remains, how much longer can these international organisations continue to band-aid over the unaddressed responsibilities of an ineffective government?

So what next? In the context of the tourism sector’s string of slow ‘high seasons’ due to SARS Chicken flu and now general bad publicity, this situation's direct impact on the commercial success of Siem Reap (where many have investments) ought to force those in positions to implement constructive change, to do so. On the other hand…it may not.

Recently, I have been questioning my own role as a trainer. Has the way I have been working bee the most efficient? Am I learning from my experiences? How can we find ways to be more effective? How much impact are we really having? No matter what our successes may be, there is no room for complacency. This tragic event is a harsh reminder. I guess I want to say something like “international development is everyone responsibility”, but actually mine is a simple aspiration. It would be great to know that most of us are making the most of each day to make life better, at any level that we can. What do you think? Too ambitious?
Love Bron