Resources / Program Launching Ceremonies at Provincial level_ 27-29 July 2011

Summary

The National Coordinating Mechanism (NCM) and the GSF’ Executing Agency Plan International Cambodia formally launched the Global Sanitation Fund  in five target provinces, namely Kandal, Kampong Speu, Kampong Cham, Takeo and Svay Rieng at events in those towns from 27-29 July 2011.

The launching programmes at provincial level were chaired by H.E Try Meng, Secretary of State of Ministry of Rural Development/ the Chair of NCM, Dr. Chea Samnang, Director of Department of Rural Health Care of Ministry of Rural Development /Vice-chair of NCM, Member of province councils, and Vice provincial governor and attended by members of NCM, all Director/Deputy Director of provincial departments, Head/Member of district council, district Governor/Deputy Governor, Chief of commune council, provincial department of rural department Officers and representative of international or local NGOs. The launches gave an opportunity for key relevant governments and civil society stakeholders in each province to learn more about the GSF, CR-SHIP’ goal/objectives, target provinces, budget, structure of CR-SHIP implementation, programme components and intended outcomes and ask questions regarding the programme design and the GSF operational approach.

As Mr. Ieng Dam, Director of Kampong Speu Provincial Department of Rural Development said: “I am very pleased that the Kampong Speu province among five provinces was selected to implement the CR-SHIP in order to increase access to improved sanitation and promote proper hygiene practices in rural communities. Thus, we will actively facilitate in coordinating with local authorities to make the programme run smoothly.” He also noticed: “the coverage of sanitation in my province is low because the community people have limited knowledge of sanitation and hygiene.  Through this programme, I strongly believe that the community people will achieve better hygiene outcomes through changed sanitation behaviours.”

In total, 294 participants (39 female) attended on the GSF/ CR-SHIP programme launching in five target provinces.

At the end of the programme launching, the participants understood the GSF/CR-SHIP programme and shown interest and commitment to cooperate with the future selected Sub-Grantees in order to promote sustainable sanitation and hygiene in their province. Last but not least, there was a growing interest in the audience in learning more about the CR-SHIP, particularly the journalists and TV reporters were eager to collect information from the Chair and participants after the ceremony.