The impact of COVID 19 on children, young people, and families in Sihanoukville, Cambodia : the mitigating work of M’Lop Tapang

Guest, KM; Kelly, A; Chamroeun, U; Sinat, D; Saroeun, Y; Rowland, A

Abstract

Introduction:
Globally, children have been adversely affected by the wide variety of impacts of SARS-CoV-2 (Coronavirus | COVID-19). Vulnerable children who depend on the support of education and health and social care systems were left unprotected as these systems were weakened by the pandemic. COVID-19 has exposed the already fragile situations that many children and young people live, and that thousands of children and young people would need support but remained invisible to authorities. COVID-19 has also been a stark reminder of the vulnerability of individuals and societies and it has exposed deep divisions, inequalities and injustices between different countries and groups of people. M'Lop Tapang is a local non-profit organization registered with the Royal Government of Cambodia. This report discusses the efforts of M’Lop Tapang following the declaration of the COVID-19 global pandemic in early 2020, to address the local community needs; to ensure the voices of children remained heard; and to promote children’s rights remaining a priority throughout the remainder of the pandemic.
Methods:
This report brings together data collected from three surveys conducted by M’Lop Tapang (in Southwest Cambodia) between May 2020 and June 2021. Data was collected from families using surveys that were administered via structured interview. The interviews were then manually analysed and transcribed. Quantitative data was entered into Excel for analysis. Qualitative data was extracted from the interview records by members of the research team and then analysed to establish themes.
Results:
The data obtained from the surveys demonstrate four clear themes: financial insecurity, including less food; impacts on education, through lack of access or the perceived need to work to support the other family members; increased risk and reduced safety, through working on the streets or working at night; and increased vulnerability with less access to services and increased stress in the home.
Discussion:
The local economic crisis in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has put children at increased risk of separating from their families; living or working on the streets; health problems; drug use; social isolation; discrimination; lack of education or lack of access to safe employment; and various forms of abuse. The interventions of M’Lop Tapang, providing food and tailored support, undoubtedly ameliorated the adversity suffered by families in the Sihanoukville area who would certainly have suffered further were it not for this input.

Citation

Guest, K., Kelly, A., Chamroeun, U., Sinat, D., Saroeun, Y., & Rowland, A. (2021). The impact of COVID 19 on children, young people, and families in Sihanoukville, Cambodia : the mitigating work of M’Lop Tapang

• Report Type: Project Report
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Nov 17, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781912337576
• Additional Information: Funders : M’Lop Tapang, Cambodia