Cambodia still has a very basic health care system and combatting Covid-19 in Cambodia created many new challenges for Damnok Toek. Travel restrictions made reaching vulnerable communities difficult. Fear about the severity of the virus was widespread. Many people had misconceptions about how the virus was spread and ways to prevent it. Workers were laid off, making food shortages commonplace. Our team worked in collaboration with government officials to protect the most vulnerable communities throughout the pandemic.
These populations often live in unhygienic conditions without access to even basic healthcare services. Preventing a super spreader event among these communities became a top priority.
Our outreach team and clinicians conducted regular visits to provide masks, hand sanitisers, and food. In addition, they held awareness and education sessions to teach communities about proper handwashing and social distancing.
Collaborative efforts to provide education and PPE were ultimately successful and Covid-19 in Cambodia never reached a worst-case scenario. 91% of the population has received two doses of the vaccine. The Cambodian government has shifted the focus to achieving herd immunity and reopening all sectors of the country in the hopes that Covid-19 in Cambodia is coming to an end.
For Damnok Toek, this has meant reopening schools and easing travel restrictions, which has made our outreach efforts significantly easier and more efficient. We still conduct regular community visits to ensure people are receiving their vaccinations and have the necessary hygiene supplies. Our programs are following government regulations regarding social distancing and the wearing of masks.