The Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA), the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation (SBC), and the Halo Trust organisation signed a joint agreement last Friday pledging to fight the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic in Cambodia by donating protective equipment and food to low-income communities.

SBC country director Buth Rothna said during the announcement ceremony that the foundation has supported both Halo projects and the Disability Development Service Programme (DDSP) though CMAA and the Golden West Foundation to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Rothna said the projects will provide lower-income families with Covid-19 materials and educational support on mine awareness.

The joint effort aims to leverage the skills, facilities, and funding of each organisation to support the community over the next three months, she said.

Rothna said the disabled and those affected by Covid-19 in Pursat province will receive extra attention. “Cambodia needs medical masks and ventilators to fight against Covid-19,” she said.

SBC’s chief executive Lou McGrath said: “We all understand the plight of Cambodia and at the same time the UK. We all know we can reduce the effects of the Covid-19 disease if we are careful.”

SBC said it would donate emergency food and hygiene kits to CMAA in support of rural, low-income communities.

The items to be donated include 2,000kg of jasmine rice, 1,000 scarves, 2,160 bars of soap, 2,500 surgical face masks, 2,000 cans of crane fish, 300 litres of alcohol, 10,000 to 20,000 Covid-19 posters, and two boxes of sports clothes.

At the announcement ceremony, CMAA first vice-president Ly Thuch thanked the SBC and the government for their efforts in fighting the spread of Covid-19 in mine-affected areas.

On February 18, CMAA and SBC co-created a charity to help people who have been disabled by mines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia.

The two organisations plan to cooperate with relevant ministries to build a vocational training centre for the disabled.