UNICEF and World Vision: Together for Cambodia’s Children

UNICEF and World Vision have officially entered into a new partnership to create significant and sustainable improvements in the lives of Cambodia’s most vulnerable children. This collaboration, spanning from 2024 to 2027, focuses on a multisectoral approach to address critical issues affecting children, including health and nutrition, education, child protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

A United Effort for Cambodia's Children:

UNICEF and World Vision have a long-standing history of global collaboration, with this partnership further strengthening their commitment to the well-being of children. By combining their resources and complementary expertise, the two organisations will focus on the most disadvantaged children, ensuring they receive the care, protection, and opportunities needed to thrive.

“UNICEF and World Vision share a long and impactful history of collaboration, both in Cambodia and globally, to advance child rights and ensure safe environments for children and youth. I am confident this partnership will strengthen our joint efforts in supporting national and local authorities to deliver essential health and nutrition care, clean water and sanitation, and quality education to the most vulnerable children in Cambodia," said Dr. Will Parks, UNICEF Representative in Cambodia.

“Our organisations share identical programmes in Cambodia. This opens opportunities for a complementary partnership. While UNICEF focuses on strengthening systems at the national level, World Vision operates at the community and grassroots level to equip sub-national partners. This agreement represents a promising step towards stronger linkages between child well-being stakeholders at all levels in Cambodia,” said Janes Imanuel Ginting, National Director for World Vision International in Cambodia.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

1. Health and Nutrition: Joint efforts in Preah Vihear and Siem Reap provinces will bolster health and nutrition initiatives, with an emphasis on community involvement and system strengthening. A national campaign to ensure access to nutritious food for all children will be a focal point, leveraging both organisations' strengths in policy and program implementation.
2. Education: Through the Nurturing Care Group approach, UNICEF and World Vision aim to enhance early childhood education and support the inclusion of children with disabilities in schools. Collaborative projects with the Ministry of Education will work towards clarifying and strengthening educational roles at various administrative levels.
3. Child Protection and Participation: The partnership will support the rollout of Child Protection Standard Operating Procedures, offering sensitisation and training to frontline workers to better identify, refer, and manage cases of violence against children (VAC).
4. WASH: As co-leads for WASH Clusters in Cambodia’s Humanitarian Country Team, UNICEF and World Vision will continue to work towards universal access to water and sanitation by 2030, with a focus on preparedness and response to emergencies.
5. Strategic Advocacy and Policy Discussions: Both organisations are active members of Cambodia’s Child Rights Alliance, advocating for coordinated efforts to make a larger impact on child rights and welfare in the country.

Towards a Brighter Future for Cambodia’s Children

This partnership represents a unified approach to addressing the complex challenges faced by children in Cambodia. With a strong commitment on achieving tangible results, the two agencies aim to foster open communication, mutual trust, and united efforts to the well-being of every child in Cambodia.