Today, Administrator Samantha Power arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia. She began the day by visiting a Cambodian foster family who is receiving support through USAID in caring for a 11-month-old child with a disability. The family's caseworker and USAID partners who support persons with disabilities and family-focused care also participated. Administrator Power recognized the tireless efforts of Cambodian partners, social workers, and foster families who are supporting child protection in Cambodia. She discussed ways for USAID to continue supporting and advocating for the rights and inclusion of people living with disabilities in Cambodia.
Administrator Power then traveled to the Svay Thom Pagoda to discuss USAID's efforts to support local partners in delivering innovative tuberculosis (TB) screening and diagnostic solutions. Despite Cambodia being removed from the WHO High TB Burden Country list in 2021, it remains on the global TB watchlist and experienced setbacks in TB case finding during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Administrator also announced one of USAID's largest direct awards to a local organization in Cambodia, through which USAID will continue supporting Cambodia's ambitious goal of ending TB as a public health threat by 2030.
Administrator Power then met with trade union members and labor activists working at Angkor Wat, a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site located in Siem Reap, to discuss working conditions and other pressing labor rights issues, and how USAID support helps tourism-oriented and other trade unions address them. Administrator Power noted the Biden Administration's strong support for labor rights, including through the 2023 Presidential Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labor Standards Globally . USAID has supported the trade union movement in Cambodia for decades, and Administrator Power discussed with the union members and activists USAID's continued commitment to working with Cambodian worker organizations.
