About CfD

Background

The Center for Development (CfD) is a non-governmental, non-political and non-profit making organization founded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The founders, a group of Cambodian development workers, were concerned about the low levels of poor community participation in gaining access to water and sanitation. CfD sought to lessen the negative impact of poor water and sanitation on people’s health and livelihoods, which it recognized can often be compounded by a lack of awareness amongst the most vulnerable people of Cambodia. CfD evolved out of a preventative health care project by Centre for Mental Heath (then supported by Caritas). CfD was officially recognized as an independent NGO on March 25, 2003 by the Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

In many underdeveloped nations like Cambodia, numerous organizations and government institutions work together to provide solutions to improve the living conditions of the poor, especially those in remote areas. Despite the programs operated by these organizations, there are still many other areas for development, especially in achieving the ultimate goal of poverty alleviation.

To complement existing development programs, CfD proposes new approaches for more sustainable development in Cambodia. CFD has initiated a program focusing on water supply and urban sanitation in areas with rapid population growth. The population growth in these areas often contributes to health and welfare problems, especially for the poor. Working with the WATSAN program, CFD will operate a social health and hygiene education program for residents in urban and peri-urban communities nation-wide.