Men Neary Sopheak (left), first deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC), explains a display at the CRC exhibition at the 25th anniversary of the end of civil war, held on December 29. CRC
Men Neary Sopheak, first deputy secretary-general of the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC), has drawn attention to the successes of the organisation.
She highlighted the close links between the 25 years of CRC president Bun Rany’s leadership and the 25 years since former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s win-win policy brought an end to conflict in Cambodia.
She delivered her remarks during the December 29 celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the end of the Cambodian civil war in 1998, with the reintegration of the remaining Khmer Rouge soldiers, as well as the 5th anniversary of the Win-Win Monument.
“The Red Cross do not discriminate. We will continue to operate under all circumstances. As the Kingdom evolves, so do the services we need to provide to the public. At present, we are focused on public health education and the work of our youth units. The CRC will continue to serve the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Neary Sopheak.
In the 25 years since the end of the civil war, the CRC has participated in several major operations which are linked to the win-win policy, including the reintegration of former Khmer Rouge combatants and their families.
Neary Sopheak also recalled a border dispute incident at the Preah Vihear temple, which led to the CRC establishing a refugee centre in the namesake province.
“These are some historic examples of the help the CRC has provided to the people of Cambodia,” she said.
“At the same time, we have never forgotten the participation of Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, who has long donated royal property to help support our work,” she added.
Since its inception in 1955, the CRC has been recognised by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). It was the 85th member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
According to Neary Sopheak, from 1975 to 1979, the CRC did not exist in Cambodia, due to the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. From the liberation of the country in 1979 until 1992, the CRC lost its seat at the ICRC, as the country’s splintered leadership meant four groups were vying to represent Cambodia.
She explained that from 1992-1994, the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk united the four groups, successfully holding the CRC’s first general assembly in 1994.
Under the leadership of Bun Rany, who was elected president in 1998 and has held the position ever since, the CRC has evolved, with all 25 capital-provincial branches adhering to the principles of decentralisation and de-concentration.
This has ensured the CRC has the ability to support itself, and has engendered an excellent reputation, both within the Kingdom and abroad, according to Neary Sopheak.
